KARACHI, April 14 The chief secretary of Sindh through a notification has declared neem the provincial tree of Sindh.

The initiative signifies the government's commitment to conserving natural forests of the province, says a press release.

The proposal was jointly initiated by the Sindh forest department and the Indus for All Programme (IAP) of the Worldwide Fund for Nature Pakistan under the leadership of Sindh secretary for forests and wildlife Mushtaq Ali Memon and IAP regional director Dr Ghulam Akbar.

“Similar proposals are under way to declare a provincial animal and a bird,” said Dr Akbar.

Neem is a fast-growing, evergreen tree with a dense crown. The tree height ranges from 15 to 20 metres.

Native to India, Bangladesh and Pakistan, neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss.) is also found in Malaysia and China. It grows in tropical and semi-tropical regions. The plant is widely cultivated in Sindh and is popular for its medicinal properties.