MANSEHRA, Aug 10: The ‘tree plantation for food programme’, launched by the World Food Programme in Mansehra district, has failed to achieve desired results as funds have been embezzled allegedly by concerned departments, Dawn has learnt.

The WFP had launched the tree plantation campaign at an estimated cost of Rs420 million in the earthquake-affected areas of Mansehra in March to stop soil erosion and landsliding. The responsibility to execute the programme was entrusted to the Water Shed Management, Hazara circle, and the Water Shed Kunhar circle.

Under the programme, the people of the area were offered food items, including wheat and edible oil, against plantation of trees. The WFP had offered food items to those people who would plant trees to secure the earthquake-affected areas from soil erosion and landsliding.

Sources said that most of the food items allocated for the programme were either sold in markets or distributed among relatives of officials.

In a press conference on Friday, Kawai union naib nazim Jamil Ahmad said that the officials involved in the embezzlement of funds and wrong distribution of food items would face justice.

The naib nazim said he had sent a letter to the country’s in-charge of the WFP and apprised him about the misappropriation.

He said that he had appealed to President Musharraf to conduct an inquiry.—Correspondent