Plantation

                    Planting a Tree is like  Planting a hope   

R.S.Bhatti

                       There is a famous Asian saying that the trees are another form of mothers because they give shade and tolerate the sun. People living in countries near the equator can understand the importance of shade of a tree in the scorching sun.

But this is not the only benefit of trees. Trees are very important for human race. They give us oxygen and keep our environment clean by absorbing various harmful gases and pollutants from the environment.

Prime minister Boris Johnson announces:

‘30,000 ha of trees to be planted every year as part of ‘green industrial revolution’

https://www.forestryjournal.co.uk/news/18897244.30-000-ha-planted-every-year-part-green-industrial-revolution-boris-johnson-announces/

To achieve this goal  the ladies section of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community, also taking part in tree plantion across UK. Women's auxiliary of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community will be celebrating 100 years since being established, in 2022. To commemorate this and conserve our beautiful planet, the UK members have pledged to plant 100,000 trees across the UK. Till now only noth- east ladies have planted more than 1000 trees.

Around 13% of the UK was covered by woodland in March 2020.This is relatively low compared with other developed countries:  e.g., In most European countries, forest covers between 31-50% of land area, and this is also true of the US and Canada. For example, woodland covers 32% of France’s land area, 33% of Germany’s and 37% of Spain’s. This is why the Government has 

committed to increasing tree planting rates across the UK.

Islam has placed a great deal of significance tree planting. Founder of Islam, Hadhrat Muhammad (peace and blessing of Allah be upon him) described the importance of trees. There are several beautiful verses in the Book of Allah that contain descriptions of the lush, green gardens and trees and imply their significance in this world as well as the hereafter. 

In Holy Quran Allah Almighty said:

"And it is He Who sends down water from the cloud; and We bring forth therewith every kind of growth; then We bring forth with that green foliage wherefrom We produce clustered grain. And from the date-palm, out of its sheaths, come forth bunches hanging low. And We produce therewit gardens of grapes, and the olive and the pomegranate—similar and dissimilar. Look at the fruit thereof when it bears fruit, and the ripening thereof. Surely, in this are Signs for a people who believe."

 (Ch:6, V:100)

Similarly, the words of our beloved Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him, have established the importance of planting and taking care of trees. In many of his sayings the Holy Prophet peace be upon him, emphasised on the value and importance of plants. He forbade cutting down trees even during wars, and mentioned planting a tree as a charitable act.

In a hadith Holy Prophet peace and blessings be upon him, said, 

“Even if the Resurrection were established upon one of you while he has in his hand a sapling, let him plant it.”

(Musnad Aḥmad 12902)

Trees are an essential part of the our environment. They make the environment beautiful and fit for the existence of various species of organisms. Life on the earth will not be possible without trees. They are important to us in many ways. It would not be wrong to say that trees give us life.

Areas of greenery provide a more peaceful environment. People living in such areas experience less stress and are happy. Trees also provide food and shelter to us. . There leaves, roots and bark are used to prepare medicines.

We should avoid cutting trees and planting more of them. We should also encourage people around us to plant trees.