The Government of Pakistan has attempted to tackle mass unemployment by hiring employees to help plant ten billion trees.
Through the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, over 63,000 new jobs have been created through the Ten Billion Tree Tsunami initiative. [Featured Image: Ten Billion Tree Tsunami, Twitter]
Bare rooted nursery at Upper Kohistan Forest division raised under #10BillionTreeTsunami #10BTTP @aminattock @IshtiaqUrmarPTI @anikasleem @ClimateChangePK pic.twitter.com/wOwaqCZI6u
— Billion Tree Tsunami (@btap2015) May 8, 2020
Ten Billion Tree Tsunami was held up due to social-distancing laws, but an exemption was subsequently passed. This meant that, alongside the original workers, new daily workers who were without work could continue work on the project. Workers are allowed to plant trees, so long as they observe social-distancing laws and wear masks.
Secretary FEWD Visited Kaghan Forest Division
Mr. Shahid ullah Khan, Secretary FEWD visited different Forests activities carried out under #10BillionTreeTsunami #10BTTP #ClimateChange #ClimateEmergency #ClimateStrike pic.twitter.com/R7MfdgSwyX
— Billion Tree Tsunami (@btap2015) May 12, 2020
The Ten Billion Tree Tsunami initiative started in 2018, and its original aim was to hit the landmark in five years. So far, over 30 million trees have been planted and a larger workforce now presides over the project. Most of the work takes place around the Punjab region and the capital, Islamabad. However, workers carry out the project wherever the trees are required.
You can view the Ten Billion Tree Tsunami’s progress on their social media and also by searching the hashtag #Plant4Pakistan on Twitter.