ABBOTTABAD, May 8: The district Nazim of Abbottabad, Mustafa Jadoon, has asked the forest department and municipal authorities to remove poplar trees from the city, saying they are causing not only environmental problem but also contributing to the spread of asthma disease.

Talking to this correspondent, he said the forest department would plant other trees in place of poplar trees.

Mr Jadoon said that a Rs1 billion water supply plan had been approved by the provincial and federal governments and added that formalities were being completed for funds to be provided by the donor agencies.

The Nazim said the district govt had decided to increase the prices of the municipal committee shops and offices in consonance with the prevailing market rates.

He pointed out that efforts were being made to evacuate the municipal committee and district council property from illegal occupants.