Musharraf urges steps to check diminishing natural forests

ISLAMABAD: 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 starting tomorrow (Thursday), President Musharraf said the natural forests on mountains, riverside and Indus delta are under great stress due to high demands for wood by dependent communities, which needed proper attention.
The President said the scope of forestry has expanded in the wake of growing global issues relating to climate change, biodiversity and desertification, with entire world convinced on the role of forests in mitigating such issues.
He expressed satisfaction on Pakistan for maintaining its overall forest cover upto five percent despite increase in population and resultant needs.
He said though financial and human resources available with Provincial Forest Departments are insufficient to achieve the Millennium Development Goals for enhancing forest cover upto six percent, but the federal government would fully supplement their programmes.
President Musharraf hoped that Provincial Forest Departments would make all out efforts to best use the investment and take board all segments of society including civil society organizations, farmers, students, civilian and armed forces for the success of plantation campaign.