Punjab Forests, Wildlife and Fisheries Secretary Jehanzeb Khan has criticised the forests department for adopting the zero tolerance policy on illegal cutting of trees, saying: "We should pledge on the World Forest Day to eliminate environmental pollution and provide clean atmosphere to the coming generations."
He also revealed that work on setting up a new forest on 600 acres of land on the bank of the River Ravi was continuing speedily.
His comments came at a seminar held in connection with the World Forests Day at Jallo Park on Saturday where it drew the likes of Forests Chief Conservator Rana Shabbir Ahmad, Fisheries Director General Dr Muhammad Ayub, Forests Conservator Mehar Muhammad Yousaf, Professor Hina Yaqub of Lahore College for Women University and college and university students.
He said the success in promoting forestry could never be achieved without the public participation. "If every person decides to plant at least two saplings inside or outside his home, then not only environmental pollution can be controlled within next 10 years but the increasing demand of wood can also be met."
In his speech, Forests Chief Conservator Rana Shabbir Ahmad said: "Trees not only provide us oxygen but also play important role in national economy. The forests department is pursuing the policy of protecting the trees, and a co-ordinated strategy is being implemented for re-organisation of all parks under the forests department throughout the province."
Fisheries Director General Dr Muhammad Ayub and Professor Hina Yaqub of LCWU spoke and talked about the importance of trees.