Environment Minister for observing Aug 18 as National plantation day

ISLAMABAD: Minister for environment Hamid Ullah Jan Afridi has said his ministry has presented proposal to observe August 18 as national day of tree plantation after it has set the highest world record of planting trees in one day.

"Ministry of environment in collaboration with forest department of Sindh and National Bank of Pakistan has broken Indian June 13, 2009 record by planting 541176 saplings in Thatta", he said this while addressing a press conference in ministry of environment Friday.

This world record was nothing short of a gift when nation was passing through difficult times, he said. Guineas Book of World record has also endorsed Pakistan record and issued certificate and shield to ministry of environment, he added.

Director WWF International had congratulated Pakistan through a letter addressed to minister of environment on setting new world record saying it would not only help protect water ways but it would also supplement efforts aimed at developing forests in the country.

He told recommendations had been made to government to provide helicopters to CDA to extinguish fire erupted on Margalla hills.

Process for formulation of stringent laws to prevent tree axing in Northern areas was in the final stage, he said adding consultation had also been made with the provinces in this respect and the draft would soon be presented before cabinet for approval.

To a question he told all the past policies were being improved and laws were being made effective.