ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan has said that protection and restoration of forests is part of government’s priorities as trees and their plantation are pivotal to contain adverse impact of climate change.
The premier said this while chairing a meeting on Thursday regarding protection and restoration of forests in Punjab.
He instructed to utilise modern technology for the conservation and restoration of forests. He advised to formulate a coordinated policy for restoration of jungles in the province.
PM Imran directed to ensure coordinated measures to stop illegal hunting and cutting of trees in Punjab. The premier was briefed about steps taken for the revival of Changa Manga and other jungles. It was told that 25,000 acres of Chhanga Manga jungle were turned into barren land by cutting trees.
The meeting was informed that plantation on one thousand acres of land has been completed under Ten Billion Tree Tsunami, while forestation on another 2,5000 acres of land will be completed by 2023.
Separately, terming digitalisation of state land data “need of the hour”, Prime Minister Imran on Thursday directed to ensure the availability of the record on the websites of the concerned development authorities.
Presiding over a meeting of the National Coordination Committee on Housing and Construction in Islamabad today, PM Imran said that the data of the state land should be accessible to the citizens in general and to overseas Pakistanis in particular.
He directed all the provinces to provide the state land data to the Surveyor General of Pakistan. He directed the Sindh chief secretary to expedite work on development projects and boost economic activities in the province.
Briefing the meeting, Sindh chief secretary said that they would provide the land record to the Survey General of Pakistan after the approval of the provincial cabinet.
Separately, Prime Minister Imran has emphasised that the government is making all-out efforts that senators should be elected through a transparent mechanism on the basis of competence and merit.
He was talking to leader of the House in Senate Dr Shahzad Waseem who called on him on Thursday. They discussed matters related to political situation and Senate elections.
