21 January 2005	Friday	10 Zilhaj 1425

ABBOTTABAD, Jan 20: All forests in the Galyat region should be declared national park and measures should be put in place for their conservation.

A demand in this respect was made at a workshop organized by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) here the other day.

Speakers, including government officials, representatives of district government, NGOs and WWF, urged the government to provide alternate fuel to the people of the Galyat region for effective forest conservation.

The aim of the workshop, which was presided over by the Abbottabad nazim, was to discuss and evolve a forest conservation strategy.

It was announced on the occasion that the Adventure Foundation would launch a mass plantation campaign in the area with the help of about 180 schoolchildren.

Some speakers suggested that strict punishment should be awarded for violating forest rules and demanded that efforts should be made by the authorities concerned for the early provision of Sui gas to Galyat.

Participants also called for an extensive debate on forest policy to bring about changes in it as protection of forest was necessary in view of the future water demands.