Punjab Provincial Development Working Party has approved Rs 32.4 billion for Green Pakistan Programme - Reclamation and Development of Forest Areas in Punjab (Up-scaling Phase-I) The scheme was approved in PDWP's special meeting of current fiscal year 2018-19 presided over by Chairman P&D Board Habib ur Rehman Gillani here on Monday.
Officials told Business Recorder that the overall improvement of the forestry sector in the province requires continuous efforts through a number of initiatives under long term Green Pakistan Programme. Existing meagre forest resources being crucial to environmental stability demand serious interventions from Federal/Provincial Government to lead from the front with commitment for sufficient financial contribution through an umbrella project to improve and enhance the existing forest cover of the country.
Under Prime Minister's Green Pakistan Programme Rs 32.4 billion has been allocated to the Punjab Forest component which shall be utilised for forestation of blank areas by planting 5.5 million trees in different forest types.