August 19, 2002	Monday	Jamadi-us-Saani 9, 1423

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ISLAMABAD, Aug 18: President Pervez Musharraf has said that the scarcity of forests in the country makes it necessary that all citizens join hands to protect and manage forests on a sustainable basis.

Forests and trees are of vital importance for creating a favourable climate, enhancing fertility of the soil, saving land from erosion and maintaining ecological balance, he said, in his message on the occasion of the sustainable monsoon tree-planting campaign to be launched on Monday.

The president said that while forests were a source of domestic energy and raw material for cottage and wood-based industries, their role in regulating water in rivers and reservoirs could not be over emphasized.

The current year has been declared as the International Year of Mountains by the United Nations aimed at drawing the attention of the world community to protect fragile mountain eco-systems and the livelihood of the communities dependent on these resources.

The president said the campaign provided an opportunity to all the citizens and stakeholders to participate in the national efforts to preserve and increase the country’s forest resources.

“We are facing immense problems of deforestation and environmental degradation all over the country. This situation can be improved if large-scale plantations are carried out in watershed areas and in the plains of the country,” he said.

Gen Musharraf urged the people to participate in the tree plantation drive and ensure that the planted trees were well taken care of to make the campaign a success.