7 JUNE 2012 | KAPISA, AFGHANISTAN

 

2,500 evergreen trees, bought with USAID funds, were distributed to locals to be planted in Mahmood i-Raqi, the provincial capital and in Hesa Awal, Hesa Dow and Kohband districts. The Governor called on every family in the province to plant at least one tree each

 

Kapisa, in the north-east of Afghanistan, is going green. One tree at a time. A remarkable initiative by the Provincial Governor’s Office saw the launch of a three-day tree-planting ‘festival’ in the provincial capital and three other districts. Governor Safi hosted more than 300 guests at the launch, including members of the Provincial Council, provincial ministry officials, members of the Mahmood Raqi Youth Association, staff from the District Governor’s Office and local leaders.

 

The Governor told the gathering that for Kapisa, “going green” was more than a beautification project. It is a representation of the government and people’s commitment to peace and development, he said. Planting trees symbolizes Kapisa’s desire for growth through unity rather than division and destruction, he added. He called on every family in the province to plant at least one tree each next year.

 

After the Governor’s exhortation, 2,500 evergreen trees, bought with USAID funds, were distributed to locals to be planted in the provincial capital Mahmood i-Raqi and in Hesa Awal, Hesa Dow and Kohband districts.

 

Mohammed Hussain, chairman of the Provincial Council, said that the newly planted trees “will serve as an important symbol of the collective future of the province”.