950806

PQA launches

tree plantation

programme

RECORDER REPORT

KARACHI: As per directive of Asif Ali Zardari, MNA and Chairman of Environmental Protection Council, Port Qasim Authority launched a massive tree plantation programme on Sunday, 6th August, 1995. M. Nawaz Tiwana, Chairman PQA inaugurated the programme by planting an Araucria plant in front of newly constructed Administrative Main Building.

The PQA intends to plant 2,00,000 trees in area under its jurisdiction during the year 1995-96, in collaboration with the present and potential investors of PQA.

Two nurseries for mangroves saplings have been developed by IUCN in collaboration with Sindh Forest Department in the area of Port Qasim. The growth of these plants is very satisfactory. These two nurseries will cater not only to the requirements of Port Qasim for mangroves, but would also be source of supply for mangrove plants to other organizations, such as KPT etc.

Port Qasim controls vast area of Coastal forest mostly containing mangroves.

Mangroves provide breeding grounds for shrimps and fish species providing livelihood to thousands of families, and protection against erosion of coast and stability for hydraulic regime vis-a-vis navigable channel and other Port facilities.