A greener Pakistan, one run and wicket at a time

What’s even better than a powerful hit to send the ball flying and a beautiful swinging delivery to knock off the stumps? – knowing that all of this is helping to make Pakistan a greener and healthier place to live in.

Pakistan Super League franchise Islamabad United and WWF-Pakistan have joined hands to unite the nation’s love for cricket with the need to preserve and protect the country’s environment through the initiative #1Run1Tree.

Under this movement, the 2016 PSL champions, in partnership with WWF-Pakistan, will “plant one tree for every run scored and 10 trees for every wicket taken in a global tournament where Pakistan brings home the trophy, and for ISLU’s performance in each season of PSL,” the team describes in its media release.

The initiative, launched in celebration of Pakistan’s historic victory in the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 and ahead of the 70th independence anniversary of the country, starts with around 1,500 trees based on the number of runs and wickets taken by the team in Champions Trophy.

Islamabad United’s fast bowler Rumman Raees, who was also part of the victorious Champions Trophy squad, launched the campaign on Wednesday, August 2 in Lahore – the headquarters of WWF-Pakistan.

“Every Pakistani, on and off the pitch, must fight for Pakistan and do their best to protect and improve Pakistan’s environment,” he said, while urging people to support Islamabad United and WWF-Pakistan in their latest environmental endeavour.

Speaking to Geo.tv, WWF-Pakistan detailed the scope of the #1Run1Tree campaign. We asked them about the geographical territory which would be covered under this initiative and the primary focus of the campaign.

“WWF-Pakistan in involved in multiple plantation activities nationwide. The main focus of the #1Run1Tree campaign is to promote urban forestry. Both WWF-Pakistan and Islamabad United plan to expand the scope of #1Run1Tree campaign to various cities across the country,” WWF-Pakistan told us.

Asked whether WWF-Pakistan plans to team up with other PSL franchises for similar initiatives, the organisation said it is hopeful other teams would also come forward to support the cause of a clean and green environment.

“We hope other teams come forward to recognise the importance of a clean environment in promoting sports. Islamabad United is a leader in this regard,” WWF Pakistan said.

“We often come across people complaining over the constant loss of the country’s green cover and questioning the role of non-government organisations in this regard. Through this plantation drive we are putting across a message that WWF-Pakistan as an organisation is serious in partnering with organisations like Islamabad United and making an investment for the future – the dividends of which our future generations will reap,” said Director General WWF-Pakistan, Hammad Naqi Khan, as he urged others to step up their efforts to reach out to the masses.

This isn’t the first time the PSL franchise has partnered with WWF-Pakistan for the cause of the environment. During the second edition of the PSL in February 2017, Islamabad United and WWF-Pakistan came together to champion the cause of conservation of snow leopards in Pakistan, through a campaign dubbed #SaveOurSnowLeopardSOS.

The two entities also raised awareness about Earth Hour, observed in Pakistan and worldwide on March 25, as Islamabad United players from around the world urged the public to become more environmentally conscious and switch off lights for one hour.

The writer is a producer at Geo.tv and tweets @Mariaa_54