The unique idea of involving school children in the promotion of green cover by launching an ‘Own a Tree’ plantation programme has shown an encouraging response of fostering a strong bond of attachment between minors and the plants planted with their nameplates.
The plantation drive was carried out by the World Health Organization (WHO) with the cooperation of the Health Department of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa by involving school children in planting saplings within the premises of four Basic Health Units (BHUs) in Charsadda district. “The activity was held on April 7, 2023, in connection with the observance of World Health Day (WHD) April which also marks the anniversary of the founding of the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1948,” informed DHO Charsadda, Dr. Farhad Khan.
In all a total of 241 plants of different indigenous species were planted by involving school children who were asked to tag each of the saplings with their nameplate separately to inculcate a sense of ownership in the child’s mind, Dr. Farhad apprised APP. “Within eight months of the plantation, each child has exhibited responsibility of the ownership of his plant by regularly visiting the site, watering the sapling and cleaning the leaves,” he explained.
The spirit of the programme was fostering attachment between children and trees so that our younger generation should become aware of the importance of green cover and a clean environment for the better health of people, he remarked.
The session was particularly relevant as the main theme of World Health Day 2023 is “Health for All.” The children received detailed information about maintaining healthy practices and adopting a healthy lifestyle, he went on to say.—APP
