The President, Pervez Musharraf has stressed for immediate action to stop damage to the diminishing natural forests in the country. In a message on the commencement of Monsoon Tree Plantation Campaign that started on Thursday, the President said natural forests on mountains, riverside and Indus delta are under great stress due to high demands for wood by dependent communities needed proper attention.
The President said the scope of forestry has expanded in the wake of growing global issues relating to climate change, bio-diversity and desertification with entire world convinced on the role of forests in mitigating such issues. He expressed satisfaction on Pakistan's stance for maintaining its overall forest cover up to five percent despite increase in population and resultant needs.
Further, he said though financial and human resources available with the Provincial Forest Departments are insufficient to achieve the Millennium Development Goals for enhancing forest cover up-to six percent, but the federal government would fully supplement their programmes.
Musharraf hoped that Provincial Forest Departments would make all out efforts to make best use of the investment and take board all segments of society including civil society organisations, farmers, students, civilian and armed forces for the success of the plantation campaign.