Environmental pollution can be controlled within next ten years:Secretary Forests

Lahore: Provincial Secretary Forests, Wildlife and Fisheries Cap.(R) Jehanzeb Khan has said that we should pledge on World Forest Day to eliminate environmental pollution and provide clean atmosphere to the coming generations. He said that Forests Department has adopted zero tolerance policy regarding illegal cutting of trees. He disclosed that work on setting up of new forest on 600 acres land at the bank of River Ravi is continuing speedily.

He said this while addressing a seminar held in connection with World Forests Day at Jallo Park, here today. Chief Conservator of Forests Rana Shabbir Ahmad, Director General Fisheries Dr. Muhammad Ayub, Conservator of Forests Mehar Muhammad Yousaf, Prof. Hina Yaqub of Lahore College for Women University and other senior officers besides students of universities, colleges, schools as well as people associated with civil society, NGOs and other walks of life were present on the occasion.

Secretary Forests said that success in the promotion of forestry cannot be achieved without public participation, therefore, people from all walks of life will have to come forward to take part in this noble cause. He said that if every person decided to plant at least two saplings inside or outside his home, then not only environmental pollution can be controlled within next ten years but the increasing demand of wood can also be met.

Addressing the seminar, Chief Conservator of Forests Rana Shabbir Ahmad said that trees not only provide us oxygen but also play important role in national economy. He said that Forest Department is pursuing the policy of protecting the trees. He said that a coordinated strategy is being implemented for reorganization of all parks under Forests Department throughout the province. He said that planning is being made to spend the income of the park on it so that facilities could be increased. DG Fisheries Dr. Muhammad Ayub and Prof. Hina Yaqub of LCWU also addressed the seminar and threw light on the importance of trees in human life.

Later, Secretary Forests led the walk held in connection with World Forests Day in which senior officers of Forests Department, universities students, schools children and people from different walks of life participated. Officers of Forests Department, universities students and schools children also planted saplings in Jallo Park.