'Green Pakistan Programme' approved

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has approved launching of the "Green Pakistan Programme" whereby over 100 million trees will be planted all across the country, the media reported on Saturday.

The idea, according to a press statement released by the Prime Minister's Office on Friday, is based on the "Great Green Wall Programme" of China -- a series of human-planted wind-breaking forest strips designed to stop the expansion of the Gobi Desert, Dawn online reported.

The programme targets to add 100 million plants over the next five years all over the country.

The prime minister has approved the launch of to improve forestry and wildlife sectors.

Protection and management of wildlife and reclaiming and developing forest areas are the main aspects of the programme, the statement said.

Preservation and management of forest and wildlife resources of the country need to be adequately developed in line with the best international practices.

All relevant federal and provincial ministries and agencies will be facilitated to fulfil the task so that the desired objectives of forests preservation and wildlife protection is achieved, the statement quoted the prime minister as saying.

The prime minister has asked the climate ministry to develop a proposal for strengthening Zoological Survey of Pakistan to immediately undertake inventory of endangered wildlife species and habitats across Pakistan.

He issued directions for the revival and management of internationally recognised wildlife habitats, including Khunjrab National Park (Gilgit Baltistan), Khirthar National Park (Sindh), Hingol National Park (Balochistan), Chitral Gol National Park (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Lal Suhanara National Park and Salt Range area (Punjab), Machiara National Park (Pakistan occupied Kashmir) and Margalla Hills National Park (Islamabad).