ISLAMABAD, Feb 21 (APP): President Mamnoon Hussain has said that forests are precious asset of Pakistan and it is imperative to ensure their protection and increase the forest cover in the country in accordance with the international benchmarks.
He was addressing a ceremony held at Aiwan-e-Sadr in Islamabad to kick off spring tree plantation campaign.
President underlined that forests play a critical role in reversing the adverse effects of climate change and also important in national economic stability.
He said that the federal and provincial governments are making efforts to not only control felling of trees but also increase.
President stressed on devising effective strategy to protect forests and further increase forest cover in the country like planting saplings along railway lines, canals and roads.
He also called for using modern plantation methods and promoting plantation of local trees to increase forest cover.
President said that the government will continue to extend all possible assistance to the provinces in this regard to attain target of planting saplings.
APP/Zaheer/VNS Islamabad
