Forests key to fighting pollution, says Elahi

LAHORE: Forests play a key role in neutralising environmental pollution, said Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, chief minister.

Elahi, addressing a forests development seminar at a hotel, said that the Forest Department, with the collaboration of the private sector, was evolving a comprehensive plan for increasing forest wealth, which would help in poverty alleviation.

He said forestry experts should use all their mental capabilities to formulate recommendations for forest development, which would be a part of the government’s forest policy. He said that the Forest Department could improve in the light of proposals presented at previous seminars. He said that the furniture, matchstick and other industries could be strengthened through tree plantation.

Dr Ashfaqur Rehman, provincial minister, said that forests play a significant role in flood prevention, poverty alleviation and environment cleansing, so the government was paying special attention to forestation.

Salman Ghani, Planing and Development Board chairman, said the government was giving importance to forests in its economic planning. Maj (r) Iqbal Ahmad, forests secretary, also addressed the seminar.

Kamran Rasool, Punjab chief secretary, Khushnood Akhtar Lashari, additional chief secretary, provincial secretaries and representatives of farmers and private organisations were also present. staff report

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