LAHORE, Feb 11: Only 2.8 per cent of the total area of the Punjab is under forests compared to the national average of five per cent.

"In order to meet the growing requirement of timber, we need to plant at least 200 million trees every year," said Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi in his message on the occasion of tree plantation campaign 2005, on Friday.

He said at least 25 per cent area should be covered with forests, as trees were essential to control environmental pollution and for economic growth. He said the provincial government was making every effort to encourage plantation.

However, he added, the government needed cooperation of the private sector to bring more and more area under forest cover. He said the government would provide every technical and other support for the purpose.