MANSEHRA, Aug 7: The government would spend 80 per cent of its income earned through national parks on the welfare of the communities of the respective areas, said Provincial Minister for Forests and Environment Wajid Ali Khan on Tuesday.

“We have developed national parks in Kaghan Valley and Nathigalli, other tourist resorts, and forests in the province to protect forests and attract tourists to earn revenue.

Eighty per cent per cent of the revenue will be spent on the welfare of local community,” he said after the launch of the monsoon tree plantation campaign in Shogran resort of Kaghan Valley.

Mr Khan planted a deodar sapling at the Forest Guesthouse and spoke to local officials and people.

The minister said monsoon was an ideal season for tree plantation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and during the current campaign, every forest division and range would set for themselves the highest possible tree plantation target.

“We want greenery everywhere in the province. For it, every forest division and rage will have to grow more and more saplings in their respective areas,” he said.

Mr Wajid said the provincial government recently revisited its forest and environmental policies and decided to begin mega projects to protect forests and environment, and generate better revenues. He added that the first project focused on walnuts.The minister urged locals to support the government in turning the province greener and pollution-free.

“You should plant the maximum number of trees of your choice in your areas. Not only they will give you a reasonable income but also they will give your village and province a better green look and pollution-free environment,” he said.

Mr Wajid said the government had signed a memorandum of understanding under the Green Gold International Scheme and would get the money by selling carbon dioxide.

“Though we have signed MoU with Green Gold International, it is clear that we will not sell our trees but will earn money by selling carbon dioxide,” said Mr Khan.

District forest officer of Balakot Naseem Khan and range officer Iqbal Khan were also in attendance.