TAXILA: Trees not only add to the scenic beauty of the area, but also control pollution and prevent floods and land erosion, said Divisional Forest Officer Syed Kamran Kazmi.

He said that the forest cover in Pakistan is at five per cent when it should be 25pc according to international standards.

Talking to newsmen in his office on Monday, he said the forest department is planting more trees and that 0.5 million trees were planted during the last three months. He added a million saplings were planted across the Attock district via farmers with help from NGOs.

Under a new initiative, the forest department has planted 3,500 saplings on both sides of the Marmaki Basa Road in Jand, which was carpeted under the Chief Minister Punjab Road Programme, he added.

Mr Kazmi said that trees will also be planted on Thatti Bangoo in Fatehjang and that the Forest Department is working towards the growth and protection of trees.

Published in Dawn, November 8th, 2016