KARACHI (July 24 2003) : The Pakistan Coconut and Oil Palm PlantationSociety (PCOPS) is preparing a comprehensive plan for monsoon treeplantation.

This was announced by PCOPS Chairman Kaukab Iqbal while speaking at ameeting convened in connection with the tree plantation, says a statementhere on Wednesday.

He expressed deep concern at the acute shortage of the trees in thecountry.

Kaukab said not only the coastal areas are barren, but the entire area offorests is not more than three percent in the country.

He suggested that in order to overcome such a severe shortage, the entirenation should take part in the plantation drive on war footing.

The PCOPS chief stressed that a law should be enforced whereby it be mademandatory for the government, semi-government and private organisations aswell as autonomous bodies, educational institutions, etc to keep a recordof the plantation carried out besides the new trees planted.-APP