April 27, 2008	Sunday	Rabi-us-Sani 20, 1429

PESHAWAR, April 26: Federal Minister for Environment Hame-edullah Jan Afridi on Saturday said efforts were underway to reduce the level of carbon emission and overcome the problem of pollution.

Talking to reporters at the Pakistan Forest Institute (PFI) here the minister said aforestation programme had been launched in the forest growing areas to offset the fallout of deforestation.

He added that the programme was being properly monitored to ensure increase in areas under the forests.

To overcome the water shortage, Mr Afridi said big reservoirs would be built for the purpose, adding the government was also planning to enhance the storage capacity of the existing water reservoirs.

Earlier, a detailed presentation was given to the minister about the activities of the PFI and about the proposed project of converting it into a center of excellence.

The minister was informed that project needed a financial outlay of Rs497 million to be incurred over a period of five years. The minister asked the management of the PFI to give more attention towards field training and research activities.