Native species cultivation: Forest dept to give 200 acres of land to tobacco company

PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Forest Department has agreed to provide 200 acres of land to Pakistan Tobacco Company for its “Adopt a Forest Programme” where it will cultivate native species of plants to promote the afforestation drive of the provincial government.

“The company has already distributed 160 million plants and developed 38 hectares of conservation sites in the country as part of its afforestation and conservation campaign,” said Sami Zaman, Secretary and Head of External Affairs of Pakistan Tobacco Company.

A memorandum of understanding was signed between Pakistan Tobacco Company Limited and KP Forest Department for “Adopt a Forest Programme” to Protect and Conserve Nature. Divisional Forest Officer Tariq Khadim and PTC Secretary Sami Zaman, signed the MoU to launch the programme at a ceremony in Nowshera.

Imadud Din Muhammad, Syed Ali Abbas, Jamal Toru and Aamir Lodhi also participated on behalf of the Pakistan Tobacco Company. According to the memorandum, the Forest Department will provide 1,600 kanals of land to the company for growing various plants of native species.

Speaking on the occasion, Sami Zaman highlighted the afforestation and conservation initiatives of the company. He said that PTC has so far distributed more than 160 million plants and developed 38 hectares of conservation sites across the country.

Tariq Khadim, Divisional Forest Officer, lauded the efforts for conservation of nature and promoting forestry in the country.He said the initiatives undertaken by the company would have a far-reaching effect on developing a greener Pakistan and combating the challenges of climate change. He appreciated the new initiative and assured full support from the Forest Department to the company in making the programme a great success.