Punjab Minister for Agriculture Malik Ahmad Ali has said eleven million saplings would be planted during the tree plantation campaign in monsoon season. Four million saplings would be planted on the land of Forest Department whereas 0.65 million on the land of other government departments, 1.25 million on the land controlled by Pak Forces and 5.10 million would be planted on private land, he added.
This was stated by him while presiding over a departmental meeting held to review the plantation campaign in monsoon season at forest department here on Wednesday. Secretary Forest Shahnawaz Badar, Director General Forest, Central Zone Lahore Rana Shabbir Ahmed, Director Forest Extension Tariq Mahmood, District Forest Officer Khizer Hayat Minhas, Deputy Secretary Planning and other officers were also present on this occasion.
The Minister said that 260 sale points have been set up by Forest Department for providing sapling to the people. He said that number of trees will be increased in next few years from 22 to 28 per acre. The Minister said that tree plantation can play vital role in economic development besides eradication of environmental pollution. He stressed upon people to play active role in tree plantation campaign so that clean and healthy environment can be provided to our next generations. He also asked officers of the forest department to create awareness among people to achieve desired results.