Provincial Forest Department has kicked off a multi-pronged plan for enhancing the acreage of forests and overcoming the pollution caused by the industrial sector through the plantation of eucalyptus trees in the Punjab.
Official sources on Sunday told Business Recorder here that the "Participatory Forestry" programme had been introduced under which the forest department would provide plants to the interested growers in the province.
The participatory forestry programme would be an income-generating programme, which would not only help increase the income of growers but also enhance the acreage of forests in various parts of the province.
Under the plan, growers would be responsible for supervision and after 15 years forest department will cut the trees on the basis of 50 percent share.
The forest department was making strenuous efforts for motivating the growers and farmers that they should bring their non-cultivated and barren land under plantation in the province.
The forest department is making strenuous efforts for producing maximum wood to cater the need of industrial sector, especially the sports goods industry of Sialkot. The Sialkot-based manufactures engaged with manufacturing of cricket bats and hockey sticks are using the fine quality of wood produced in Changa Manga forest.
WILLOW TREES: The department had already successfully produced English willow. Over 80,000 willow trees were obtained from the United Kingdom on experimental basis. In the light of successful experiment the forest department is making hectic efforts for getting maximum
wood for fulfilling the industrial demands of the province.
Apart from this, special measures have also been taken for planting the eucalyptus along the seasonal nullahs for reducing the pollution load in the province. The eucalyptus plants have the capacity of sucking water and this practice would help in minimising the pollution threats in the province, sources added.