September 24, 2002	Tuesday	Rajab 16, 1423

PESHAWAR, Sept 23: The NWFP government is considering a proposal to allow poplar wood export to Afghanistan to cope with the increasing demand of timber there.

Official sources told Dawn here on Monday that provincial ministry of environment had sought recommendations from research wing of the Forestry Department in that regard.

An official of the forestry department said that a private organization had recently approached the NWFP government to permit poplar and eucalyptus export to Afghanistan, keeping in view its demand in construction sector.

Poplar, a tall straight tree with soft wood is widely grown on farm land in Mardan, Charsadda, Peshawar and plain areas of the province. Its wood is used in building construction, match and paper industry in the country.