All Pakistan Blog

Adoption of innovative developments in Information Technology (IT) is considered as the key indicator of the economic development in a country. Cloud computing is the buzz phrase in today’s tech savvy world. Since the emergence of this concept in 1960s, the demand driven computing industry has started offering solutions to link together the complicated global infrastructure. Cloud computing could be defined as a service through which everything from computing power to computing infrastructure, applications, business processes to personal collaboration can be delivered to users wherever and whenever they need over a network. Some of the positive aspects of Cloud computing include flexible costs, ability to adapt to new markets and connections to ecosystems.

According to a recent survey of global executives conducted by IBM and the Economist Intelligence Unit, a growing number are beginning to realize how powerfully the cloud can propel business innovation.

As per Oracle estimates, “an enterprise can save its expenses significantly with 35 per cent deduction in operation expenses, 44 per cent cost reduction in electricity charges and 85 per cent saving in physical cost”.

According to another global study by IBM, more than 60 per cent of organizations plan to "embrace Cloud Computing over the next five years" to boost their "competitive advantage."

These statistics can be mirrored in local market as well. Given the known and tested benefits of the cloud, Government of Pakistan and local businesses can bring in cloud technologies that were otherwise beyond reach. With cloud computing, Pakistan’s developing economy can embrace next-generation tools, applications and related IT infrastructure. Ministry for Information Technology Secretary Mr. Farooq Awan also recently stated in a gathering that Cloud computing technology would encourage development of indigenous software and play a positive role in the progress of information technology in the country.

Cloud computing is an ideal technology for countries like Pakistan. Setup a business and put the applications almost for free on the cloud without installing a huge IT infrastructure which at times may cost more than the actual capital of the business. Cloud computing is smart, useful and attractive technology for Pakistan with its tremendous growth witnessed in the international market despite of challenges and widespread misconceptions.

As technology, Cloud is an important evolution of virtualization, automation, management, and operations discipline. From a business perspective, it is all that and more. The freedom and agility implied today through Cloud services was rarely available in the past.

Unfortunately no importance has been given to this important issue in the past and is a matter of grave concern. To take initiative for protecting environment highly proactive plantation campaign is needed; in which communities, students, businessmen and locals will be mobilized and encouraged to actively participate. This will be a self-sustained activity for the period of five years managed by “Green Alliance” a consortium of civil society organizations, academic institutions, media, local community, Forest Department etc. Lead Organizations include: REDA, ADFIRE, CAUSE, GEPS (Green Environmental Protection Society). These NGOs have professional staff capable enough to develop strategy of plantation, implement it and also to ensure sustainability so as to achieve the target goal.  

Situation Analysis

According to 1998 census, Peshawar is the highest populated district and capital city of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. It is also an industrial hub of the province. The industries and millions of vehicles used by the locals’ is the main cause of increase in toxic gases that have a negative impact on the environment.  The number of trees and plants in Peshawar has considerably decreased due to building of new roads, installations, bridges, fly overs, immigration of high population of Afghan refugees for the last 20 years and recent idps from Swat, malakand , mohmand agency Bajour agency  who had to cut trees for fuels and domestic requirement.

Target Areas

Sheen Watan is a country wide plantation program. Peshawar District and Khyber Agency were selected as pilot areas.

Hayatabad, Badabera, Cantt. and Chamkani were selected in District Peshawar.

Jamrud and Mulagori were identified in Khyber Agency where the required resources for the successful campaign were easily available. The interest of local students and volunteers in the cause was of the highest level.

Partners and Team

Volunteerism is the core concept of the plantation activity and thus links and understandings were developed with the members of civil society, students of schools, colleges and universities along with residents of these areas. Currently our partners include:
Corporate Businesses: TheExpertsCloud, MovingMinds

 NGOs:  The Edifiers, REDA, CAUSE

Student societies: GEPS

Institutes & Universities: IM-Sciences, Islamia College University, Agriculture University (Peshawar)

Ministries: Ministry for Environment, Ministry for Education

Departments:    Forest Dept.

Volunteers from schools, colleges and universities in the areas actively participated in the first phase of the campaign.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is signed between REDA, CAUSE, The Edifiers, Islamia College University and IM-Sciences. Ministry for Environment, Ministry for Education and Forest Department have shown interest in signing MoU for the cause.

Action Plan

The campaign was divided into two main categories:

Awareness Campaigns

Volunteers arranged plantation awareness campaigns in schools, colleges, universities and with local residents in the selected areas. Different aspects of plantation including its need, impact on environment, benefits and safe keeping were discussed in these meetings. Responsibilities were allocated among members for the smooth running and successful completion of the program.

In these campaigns beneficiaries were identified and enlisted with the required demand. Resource assessments for beneficiaries were also performed against each demand. List of Beneficiaries is presented in appendix 1.1.

Ministry for Environment and Forest Department were contacted and a request for the required saplings was forwarded. Forest Department responded by provided 8000 saplings. The supply was insufficient to fulfill the demand. This initiated the future plan of nurseries which is discussed later in the report. List of provided saplings is available at the end of this document as appendix 1.2.

Plantation Campaigns

Saplings were supplied to the targeted schools, colleges, universities, PDA and residents in the area. Students were mobilized and encouraged to actively participate in the campaign. Volunteers planted these saplings in schools, colleges, universities, public and residential areas. In some areas of Mulagori students were given saplings to plant at their homes.

Sheen Watan campaign was celebrated in 23 schools, 2 colleges, 2 universities of Hayatabad, Cantt., Peshawar City, Chamkani, Jamrud and Mulagori. List of the schools, colleges and universities along with the saplings details is presented in exhibit 1.1. List of other beneficiaries can be seen in exhibit 1.2.

Minister for Environment Mr. Wajid Ali Khan was invited as chief guest to the plantation campaign at Govt. High School No. 1 where he addressed the students on environmental issues and appreciated volunteer efforts in Sheen Watan Campaign. He assured his support and cooperation for the cause and advised Forest Department in this regard. Honorable minister then planted a tree in the school premises.

Future Plan

District Nurseries

Keeping in view the demand for sapling from the target areas, a plan to develop nurseries is presented by REDA. Nurseries will be developed in all the districts of KP. These nurseries will also act as Point of Distribution for the district. This will enable the program to spread in a much swift manner. To develop these nurseries REDA will request for the expertise and assistance of forest department and ministry of environment and will benefit from their experience in the field.

REDA will take the initiative by starting one nursery with Euro Sausages and one with Islamia College University.

Estimated cost of a nursery is given in exhibit 1.3.

List of the sapling species planted in the campaign can be seen in exhibit 1.4.

Appendix

 Exhibit 1.1: List of saplings donors

Exhibit 1.2: List of Beneficiaries.

Exhibit 1.3: Estimated cost to setup a nursery.

Exhibit 1.4: List of Sapling species supplied