Caritas in Karachi will plant 5,000 trees as part of the Trees for the Earth campaign said Mansha Noor, executive secretary of the Catholic aid and development agency there.
"Our planet Earth will no longer be able to support life if we continue cutting
down trees, and we all know about the heat wave disaster that killed more than 2,000
in our city last year," Noor said. The elderly and laborers were the main victims
from last summer's deadly heat wave, which also badly affected livestock and agricultural
crops in surrounding areas.
Caritas is also assisting with the planting of mangrove trees in coastal areas near
Karachi. "With the collaboration of the Sindh Forest Department about 1,000 mangrove
plants will likewise be planted to protect the livelihoods of fishing communities,"
said Noor.
Giyan Chand Essrani, Minister for Forestry and Wildlife for the Sindh government,
said that the state has donated 2,000 trees to be planted around Karachi as part of
Caritas' two month-long campaign. "I appreciate the efforts of the church in Karachi
and Caritas for taking this initiative to protect our humanity and city from high
temperatures," Essrani said.
Archbishop Joseph Coutts of Karachi blessed the first tree to be planted in the campaign
at St. Patrick's Cathedral on Earth Day, April 22. The campaign will also include
activities and promotions such as seminars and training workshops. (UCAN)
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