Tree plantation on war footing required, says Governor
Lahore Feb 21-PPI: Governor Punjab, Lt. Gen (R) Maqbool Ahmad has said that the changing geographical and economic circumstances are a strong indicator of the fact that we should try to stand on our own feet and utilize our resources which have been blessed by the Allah Almighty so as to achieve self-reliance and self-sufficiency.
Inaugurating tree plantation campaign 2002 at Jallo Park here on Thursday, he said that our agriculture, fuel and water requirements depend on our forests but it is unfortunate that while the forests should occupy 25 percent of the total land, it is not so in our
country.
He said ''we can make up for this deficiency by planting maximum number of trees on private land.''
The Governor said that besides our economy, forests are also essential for our environment and health as they play a pivotal role in overcoming environmental pollution which is adversely affecting the human health and our climate.
He further said that afforestation can go a long way in controlling the twin menace of salinity and water logging and to maintain the underground water level.
The Governor stressed upon the people to participate in the tree plantation campaign as a crusade as it can also help in meeting our energy requirements as well as beauty to the land.
He also stressed upon the heads of educational institutions to create awareness in their students about the benefits of tree plantation.
Meanwhile, the government has set a target of planting 45 million saplings in the Punjab province during the on-going tree plantation campaign.
About 40 million saplings will be planted by people at their lands under the guidance of forest department while 5 million saplings will be planted on the official forests land.
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Pakissan.com;
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