LAHORE, February 14: Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has directed that tree plantation be carried out on a maximum area for economic benefit of the masses as well as providing them a healthy and pollution-free atmosphere.

Inaugurating the 2009 spring tree-plantation campaign by planting a sapling at the Chief Minister's Secretariat here on Saturday, the chief minister said that every effort would be made to make the campaign a success as maximum number of trees was vital to meet growing wood and energy requirements. He said that 20 million saplings would be planted in the province during the ongoing campaign.

The chief secretary, chairmen of taskforces on horticulture and environment, LDA and PHA directors-general, agriculture and forests secretaries and other senior officers were present.

The chief minister said that in order to face serious energy crisis confronting the country, it was necessary that maximum trees be planted during the campaign and adequate arrangements also be made for their protection.

He said that people should be motivated to plant maximum saplings and awareness be promoted about the economic benefits as well as importance of trees.