The project costing Rs 1.4 billion for the development of the forestry sector in Fata has been prepared whereas mega forestry sector projects have also been initiated at a cost of Rs 12 billion in all four provinces, including AJK. The environment ministry is also executing Rs 400 million projects on environmental information management with the financial assistant of Japan. Another project of Rs 240 million is being implemented for testing vehicles emission. This was stated in a high-level meeting, chaired by Federal Environment Minister Hameed Ullah Jan Afridi. Among others, Japanese Ambassador Seiji Kojima and Environment Secretary Ejaz Ahmed Quershi attended the meeting here on Thursday. The Japanese envoy assured the minister that his country would provide all possible assistance to the Government of Pakistan for tackling the environmental issues. He said that Japan is looking forward to assisting Pakistan in the forestry sector research, capacity building of the provincial forest departments, and developing Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) projects to help earn the carbon credits. The minister asked the Japanese envoy that his country may assist Pakistan in conversion of polythene bags into degradable products to minimise the environmental threats. Afridi also seeks co-operation of Japan in developing clean drinking water project in Fata. He also proposed that Japanese government may assist to strengthen the existing education system in Fata. Copyright Business Recorder, 2008