'Steps taken for pollution-free environment'.

MANSEHRA -- Additional secretary forests Shafeeullah Khan has said the government is striving to preserve ecology of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa by carrying out a massive tree plantation campaign to ensure pollution-free environment in the province.

'We have been planting over two billion trees under the prime minister's vision to bring more and more areas under forest cover and preserve the natural environment in the province,' Mr Khan told reporters after paying a surprise visit to the Agror Tanawal forest division in Oghi on Sunday.

Mr Shafeeullah visited the Khattai and Hawagalli forests and inspected the newly-grown trees under the 10 Billion Tree Tsunami Programme.

'The entire Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, especially Hazara and Malakand divisions, are heaven on earth, having the potential to attract a large number of international tourists to it, which could only be possible if the province's environment is kept pollution-free and pleasant,' said Mr Khan.

He also ordered the chief conservator forest accompanying him to ensure that saplings grown in Hazara division were well protected.

Meanwhile, additional assistant commissioner Sundus Arshad Malik asked the...