LAHORE (January 16 2004): In order to enhance forest area of the province, the Punjab government is actively considering to launch a project under which tree growers will be entitled to get facilities similar to industrial workers.

This was disclosed in a high level meeting that was chaired by Punjab Chief Secretary Kamran Rasool here on Thursday. Among others who attended the meeting included Punjab Forest Secretary and other senior officials.

It was further told in the meeting that under the proposed project, 62 million saplings would be planted in different areas of the province that would be equal to 70,000 acres of land and in the process 14,000 tree-growers would be registered.

They would plant trees at an area of eight to 10 acres each and it would be evaluated after three years.

Those who would be able to save a specific number of trees per acre would be declared 'Secured Tree Growers' and would be entitled to get education and health cover besides residential facility in the Lahore colonies.

Courtesy Business Recorder