PESHAWAR, Feb 22: NWFP Governor Syed Iftikhar Hussain Shah inaugurated the 'Balandara' (mass plantation campaign) by planting a sapling at the picturesque hilltop of Maikay near Parachinar during his one-day visit to Kurram Agency.

The campaign, launched with the active participation of the local community of Malana village, would continue during the spring tree plantation season in which more than 100,000 saplings of different species would be planted over 500 acres in the area.

Haji Munir Khan Orakzai MNA, Dr Tashfin Khan, Political Agent, and tribal elders of the locality also attended the inaugural function. Later, the governor planted a sapling of deodar to formally launch the campaign.

Speaking on the occasion, the governor appreciated the efforts of the community in connection with tree plantation, saying such efforts would boost forest wealth in the area which in turn would benefit the local population economically. He said without involving community the uplift programme would never yield the desired results.

The governor also laid stress on putting a halt to illegal cutting of forests and said that people must preserve this natural wealth. He said local people could play a vital and basic role to raise forests. However, he added, the government would certainly make the resources available for this purpose. Referring to the lack of resources, the governor termed the population growth major cause of scarcity of resources, saying the available limited resources could not absorb the ever-increasing population pressure.

He underlined the need for population control and urged that community awareness must be created in the tribal areas in particular. Turning to the demands and problems of the area, the governor approved upgradation of a local school and opening of the required number of primary schools.

He also assured local elders that their demands would be considered for inclusion in the next ADP. He emphasized the need for forming local committees to monitor and regulate the affairs of education institutions. -APP