PESHAWAR: Special assistant to the chief minister on forests, environment, wildlife, and climate change Pir Musavir Khan has proposed declaring Ghari Chandan forest as a safari park.

He said this during a visit to the area to review progress on the ongoing plantation drive, according to a statement issued here on Sunday.

Peshawar district development advisory committee chairman Sher Ali Afridi, conservator forest, other officers of the forest department and local residents were also present on the occasion.

While briefing the special assistant about Ghari Chandan, officials said that approximately 2,400 hectares of land had been afforested, contributing to a seven per cent increase in the province`s forest area.

The chief minister`s aide also met with the landowners of Ghari Chandan, who shared their demands and issues.

Pir Musavir informed the landowners that a project for nine solar-powered tube wells in Gharri Chandan and surrounding areas had been included in the Annual Development Programme.

He said 30pc of the area in Gharri Chandan had been planted with eucalyptus trees, and a survey was being conducted for their harvesting.

`The revenue generated from this would be shared with the landowners,` he said, and also proposed declaring Ghari Chandan as a safari park. `This would not only ensure the protection of wildlife but also provide employment opportunities to local residents.` Bureau