ISLAMABAD, April 28: The ministry of environment is planning to set up a separate environment protection agency for Fata to initiate a Rs1 billion forest development project in the area.

Sources said the EPA would work on the pattern of provincial agencies and would be responsible for protection of environment, afforestation and energy conservation.

Environment Minister Hameedullah Jan Afridi, Secretary Ijaz Ahmad Qureshi and the IG forests discussed with NWFP Governor Awais Ghani the plan for setting up an EPA for Fata a few days ago.

The ministry requested the governor’s secretariat to submit details of schemes to be executed.

Also on Monday, the minister in a meeting with a delegation of IUCN expressed concern over what he said neglect of environmental issues in Fata.

He asked the IUCN to make grater efforts to address environmental issues.