Free orchard project to benefit private landowners

Proprietors in four tehsils asked to submit applications for tree plantation

RAWALPINDI:

The Guzara forest division has started a project pertaining to growing free orchards on private lands in four mountainous tehsils of the Rawalpindi district.

The project has been launched under the Prime Minister’s Billion Tree Tsunami Programme.

Private landowners in Murree, Kotli Sattiyan, Kalar Syedan, and Kahuta have been asked to submit applications for planting trees on their lands under the afforestation project until November 5.

The plantation project, which will start on February 15 and conclude on April 15, will be carried out by the Guzara forest division for free.

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Divisional Forest Officer Amir Imtiaz said they will plant indigenous fruit-bearing trees of Potohar and Kohsar, as well as olive trees. The orchards will help protect the barren and unutilised lands, generate income at the domestic level and will provide fresh fruit for consumption, he added.

The forest officer further said that the lands for which the proprietors will be submitting applications will be examined by experts, adding that the forest department will also level the lands wherever required.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 17^th, 2021.