Forest to be developed along Nullah Le

District administration will plant fruit trees on three acres of land

RAWALPINDI:

The Rawalpindi district administration has completed its preparations to develop a manmade forest along the Nullah Leh.

Under the project, the administration would plant fruit trees found in the Potohar region on three acres of land near the Sports Complex on Murree Road. The plantation would be completed by October 30.

The Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) would acquire around 5, 000 saplings exclusively from the private sector. The authority would also give a name to this forest and it has started a campaign to take suggestions from individuals and companies. In this regard, the Rawalpindi Development Authority Chairperson Tariq Murtaza said that it would not be just a forest but they would install benches and plant grass for visiting families.

Along with it, the authority would make a jogging track too while closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras would be installed for fool-proof security.

Flood emergency ends

The flood warning issued during the monsoon season was withdrawn on Saturday as the water level in Nullah Leh and other nullahs passing through the garrison city receded.

The related departments, that were ordered to remain alert, would also return to their normal positions from next week.

The officials said that the flood control rooms would also become inoperative by the end of this month along with the relief camps established to accommodate affectees in case of flooding.

Due to prompt measures such as de-silting of Nullah Leh, the danger of flooding waned in the district during the monsoon season.

Further, the Rawalpindi administration has decided to specifically focus points of Soan River where fluvial floods occurred. The government has aimed to remove encroachments around the river bank too under the Punjab River Act. The surveys for launching a grand operation would be conducted in December and January while the identification of grabbed state land has already been done.

It has also been decided to widen and deepen all nullahs which achieved high levels of water during torrential rains this year.

Further, Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) Managing Director (MD) Shaukat Mehmood told the Express Tribune that a bridge would be built over Nullah Kansi in the Kalar Syedan area.

He added that due to continuous cleanliness, the flow in the water bodies remained normal. The official assured that the administration would take the same steps during the next monsoon season as well.