TIMERGARA: A resident of Osakai village here on Wednesday set a unique example of forest conservation by distributing free gas cylinders and stoves among 200 poor villagers.

A function in this regard was held at the hujra of Haji Amir Naushad which was attended among others by Lower Dir Deputy Commissioner Irfanullah Wazir, Qaumi Watan Party leader Bakht Baidar Khan, Adenzai tehsil nazim Qamaruz Zaman, and divisional forest officer Mohammad Asghar Khan.

The participants praised Amir Naushad for his vision and generosity and asked other well off people to follow his example.

Addressing the gathering, Haji Naushad said poor people of the village had been cutting forests for firewood as they had no other means of heating andcooking. He said he was impressed by the vast forests during his visits to Europe.

He said the village consisted of 550 houses, and of them 200 households were being provided with gas cylinders and stoves with one year refilling charges.

He said rest of the houses in the village would also be provided gas cylinders and stoves. `The villagers have promised not to cut trees,` he said, adding the local forest would be preserved in this way.

Haji Amir Naushad, a businessman, also announced to build ten houses for the poorest of the village. He also announced to afford admission fee and other expenses of 16 students qualifying for medical and engineering colleges from eight union councils of Adenzai tehsil. He said the students would have to sign a deal that each would educate two other students of the area once they started practical life.

On the occasion, Deputy Commissioner Irfanullah Wazir highlighted the importance of forests and appreciated spirit of Haji Amir Naushad. He said other people should follow the example set by the elder. He said the district administration would strictly follow the forest preservation laws and would not allow anyone toviolate them.

DFO Mohammad Asghar Khan said under the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Billion Trees Tsunami Forestation Project, 9.3 million saplings of different species would be planted in the district this year.

He said the district had great potential for forestation, but the forest department needed public support.

He said village development committees had been formed in several areas in order to better preserve forests and make plantation drive a success.

MPA Bakht Baidar Khan demanded of the government to provide all areas of Lower Dir with natural gas facility to help protect forests.

He said gas had been supplied to Timergara and other parts of the district while the people of Adenzai and Talash had been deprived of the facility.

He announced to establish a girls college in Osakai village and get funds approved by the government for construction of a 5km road to the scenic spot in the village in order to promote tourism and trade.

DC Irfanullah Wazir and MPA Bakht Baidar planted deodar trees at Osakai village to formally kick off the tree plantation project.