Muzaffarabad: (Parliament Times) AJK Prime Minister Raja Farooq Haider Khan has directed departments concerned to give full attention on conservation of the forests along with reforestation to fight climatic changes in the region.
Addressing a high level meeting regarding “tree plantation drive 2017” here at Prime Minster secretariat on Wednesday the Prime Minister Raja Farooq Haider asked the all government departments for taking  full interest in new tree plantation campaign starting next month.
He asked the concerned departments for changing conventional approach of plantation, government would try to make forests not a source of income. He directed to make all district head quarters “cities of flowers”.
He said that conservation of forests can only be possible when people were taken on board.â€All departments, educational institutions, universities, colleges, civil society, traders and youth be included in tree plantation drive 2017, he said. The Prime Minister intimated the Forest Department that he would inspect the Campaign next year as well and difference should be visible, he made it clear.
He said that tree plantation will help control environmental pollution besides beautification of environment. The Prime Minister said that besides plantation of new trees, a comprehensive plan should also be evolved for their conservation. He said that tree plantation campaign should be launched  in all AJK as a mission and assured that he will provide all necessary resources for this purpose.
“Trees and plants are the prime source of environment purification and beautification,†he said, adding that trees inhale carbon dioxide and exhale oxygen, reduce temperature and create a healthy impact, both physically and psychologically, on human beings.
We all know that trees attract clouds for rain, reduce carbon monoxide in the air which reduces global warming, and slow the rate of desertification. Trees help recharge ground water and sustain stream flow. Trees planted on sides of roads address problem of traffic pollution. In fact, forests are the only natural industry which produces oxygen. He called to make tree plantation a mass movement in the state. He urged the public and Forest department to join hands and make AJK “clean and green”.
He emphasized the need to make the masses aware about the importance of trees in daily life. “We must strive hard to conserve our forests because deforestation at a large-scale has resulted in imbalance in the eco-system,” he said The Prime Minister said it was the responsibility of departments and administration to work efficiently for resolving the problems of the citizens. He said improving facilities through necessary reforms was the responsibility of the departments and the administration.
Forest Minister Sardar Mir Akber Khan,Chief Secretary Sakandir Sultan Raja,Secretary Forests Syed Zahoor ul Hasan Gillani,Secretary Information Mansoor Qadir Dar,Secretary Law Idrees Tabassum,Secretary Assembly Ch Basharat Hussain,Secratary SERRA  Sardar Zafar Khan,Secretary Services Liaqat Hussain,Secretary Education Arshaad Qureshi,Secretary Food Raja Abbas,Secretary Planning and Development Khwaja Ahsan,Secretary TEVTA Zafar Nabi Butt,heads of the departments and high ranking officials attend the meeting. Meanwhile Chief Secretary Sakandir Sultan Raja has said that implementation on all announcement made by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif  during his last visit to Muzaffarabad would be ensured.
While addressing a review meeting here on Wednesday the Chief Secretary said that all developmental projects would be completed in time. He said that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has given approval of funds for these projects. He directed the concerned secretaries for in time completion of the projects. Additional Chief Secretary (Development ) Syed Asif Shah ,Senior Member Board of Revenue Fayyaz Ali Abbasi ,Inspector General Police Bashir Memon and other high ranking officials attended the meeting.
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