PESHAWAR: Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur has decided to initiate Billion Tree Plus project and directed the quarters concerned to complete homework in this regard.
He decided this while chairing a meeting of the forest and environment department here.
The meeting was briefed about the performance, targets, administrative and other related matters of the department. The chief minister directed the concerned quarters to formulate an effective strategy for enhancing revenue collection of the department and preventing forest cutting in the province.
He also directed them for substantial increase in fines against illegal cutting and logging of forest timber, adding the amount of the fine should be more than the value of timber harvested so as to curb the elements that were causing deforestation.
“CCTV cameras should be installed at all forest checkposts to keep a close watch on timber smuggling and other illegal activities.”
It may be recalled that about three years ago, NAB had launched an investigation to the billion tree tsunami afforestation project of the previous PTI government in KP in which massive corruption had been alleged.