PESHAWAR, Sept 24: The NWFP government has launched a joint forest management (JFM) programme to protect natural resources and forests and conserve biodiversity in the province.

This was stated by NWFP Secretary Environment, Wildlife, Fisheries and Transport Noorul Haq while talking to APP. He said the idea of launching the programme was conceived following a survey conducted by the Swiss government in 1990s.

Forest management committees (FMC) had been set up at village and union council level under the programme to educate masses on forest conservation, biodiversity, eco-system and clean environment issues.

Mr Haq said that the committees would comprise eight members, including stakeholders, NGOs and a divisional forest officer or range forest officer.

The Swiss government had introduced a Rs80 million integrated natural resource management project with an aim to safeguard forests under the umbrella of JFM Programme.—APP