January 24, 2006	Tuesday	Zilhaj 23, 1426

KARACHI, Jan 23: Sindh Chief Minister’s Adviser on Information Technology, Environment and Alternate Energy, Noman Saigol, said that the government would soon launch province-wide tree plantation drive during which saplings and trees would be planted at all public and semiprivate buildings and on highways and roads.

During his visit to various areas after receiving complaints of trees cutting, he urged the city government, cantonment boards and other civic bodies to abide by the environment laws and refrain from unnecessary and without permission cutting of trees.

Mr Saigol reminded that according to EPA law, Rs3,000 should be imposed besides six-month imprisonment on unnecessary cutting of trees and posing harm to green environment.

He said that the provincial environment and alternate energy department had set up a special committee, which would monitor unnecessary cutting of trees and destroying natural beauty in the province. —PPI