He was speaking after inaugurating the Monsoon tree plantation drive at the Frontier House by planting a tree sapling here.

The forests secretary briefed the chief minister about the campaign during which 20 million saplings would be planted throughout the province.

Stressing the need to increase the people’s involvement in the tree plantation campaign, Mr Durrani said that the government wanted to widen the campaign’s range to achieve the desired goal.

The chief minister also called upon the heads of all public sector institutions, including education, health, water, police and others to move in a planned manner in this regard.

Highlighting the effects of the environmental pollution, he said that it was a serious threat, adding that it was responsible for numerous diseases.

Stressing the need to make coordinated efforts, Mr Durrani said that maximizing tree plantation and increasing the coverage of greenery was vital to reduce the danger posed by ecological degradation.

The chief minister called upon the people to supplement the government’s efforts regarding the tree plantation drive, he said that there was a need to protect the wealth of natural resources, including forests, adding that it was one of the national and religious obligations.

He also called upon the forests department to involve the people, specially public representatives, in this regard.