MITHI, Aug 21: In compliance with the directives of the government to plant more trees to keep the environment healthy, the local forest department has planted scores of saplings on several kilometres along the Mithi-Islamkot road.

The saplings were protected by iron fences a couple of weeks ago. And now a large number of small plants have taken deep roots and prospered after the recent monsoon rains.

But as there is no one there to protect them and there are fears that the young plants may be eaten up by cattle herds.

Local people say they expect the authorities concerned to take effective measures to protect the plants and assign experts to take care of them to ensure their unhindered growth.