Wood theft would not be allowed:Malik Asif Bha

Lahore: Provincial Minister for Forests, Wildlife & Fisheries, Malik Asif Bha Awan has said that every possible step would be taken for implementing laws for the protection and development of forests. He directed that immediate and strict action should be ensured against the persons involved in wood theft by taking tough decisions. He said that according to the vision of Chief Minister Punjab Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, Forests Department would be further strengthened and activated so that dream of green Punjab could be materialized. He directed Forests officers to formulate comprehensive recommendations for making monsoon tree plantation campaign a success.

He expressed these views while presiding over the meeting of the officers of Forests Department here today. Additional Secretary Forests, Chief Conservator Punjab, all divisional and district forests officers attended the meeting.

Addressing the meeting, Provincial Forests Minister said that joint efforts should be made for checking the wood theft from government forests. He directed that action should be taken against all officers and officials responsible of the destruction of forests. He stressed the need for practical steps for controlling the destruction of forests.

Malik Asif Bha Awan said that forests should be protected throughout the province and trees should be planted on new land. He said that active part should be taken in the monsoon tree plantation campaign this year and students of universities, colleges and schools should be included in this campaign so that the dream of green Punjab should be materialized according to the vision of Chief Minister Punjab.

The Minister said that the forests should be protected like a mission and the process of reward and punishment should be enforced in the Department. Malik Asif Bha said no political pressure would be accepted in the department and merit would be observed in all matters. He said that people expect best performance from the government and the success of PML-N in recent elections is proof of it. He warned that action would be taken against the black-sheep in the Forests Department and the timber mafia involved in wood theft.