Govt completely bans tree cutting in federal capital: Amin

712
Pakistan spearheading global efforts to stem against climate change

ISLAMABAD, Oct 2 (APP):Advisor to the Prime Minister on Climate Change Malik Amin Aslam Khan Tuesday announced complete ban on the trees cutting in federal capital to protect the environment of the city.
Talking to media during his visit to the Embassy Road trees plantation Site, he said more than 197 trees have been cut down during previous government only on the Embassy Road green belt for extension of road.
However, he said Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government will never allow any kind of trees cutting in the future.
The advisor said he will write a letter to the Ministry of Interior to re-open the road along embassy for the traffic.
He said the ministry of Climate Change would also introduce shifting of trees through transplanting to avoid environment issues due to the trees cutting.
He said the streams and nullahs are polluted in the capital city, adding that it is the responsibility of the civic body to keep these streams and nullahs clean to avoid any kind of environmental issues.
He said under China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) a social working group was established to work on various issues including environment.
He said environmental issues are the top priority of the present government. He said the government is working on the plan to introduce policies and initiate projects which would for the protection of environment in the country.
He said ministry would also plant more trees on Embassy Road and other sites. He appreciated the role of the media in highlighting the environmental issues.
He said onward media will be appreciated if identify any kind of trees cutting in the capital city.
Ministry of Climate Change Secretary Khizer Hayat Khan and other senior officials of the ministry were also present on the occasion.
Replying a question, he said next phase of tree plantations would be started in January, adding that budget would be allocated for the ten billion trees project by the government.