MANSEHRA, July 10: The people of Kaghan valley have formed an organisation to protect the environment, which they say, is under threat because of large scale deforestation.

“We will protect the environment of Kaghan valley from pollution. We will check deforestation to preserve the God gifted beauty of the valley,” Mujtaba Amir, a notable of the area, told a gathering in Jaraid area on Tuesday.The residents of different villages of the valley largely attended the gathering, which was summoned keeping in view the threats faced by the environment of the area.

The participants of the gathering decided to form an organisation with the name of ‘Green Jaraid’ and vowed to play their role in maintaining the natural beauty and environment of the valley. They expressed grave concern over depletion of natural resources in the valley.

Mr Amir, former director of Radio Pakistan, said that efforts should be made to inculcate environmental conservation behaviour into children and youth of the region to materialise dream of Green Jaraid. He resolved to work for stopping reckless cutting of trees and creating awareness among people about plantation of more saplings and grafting of trees in their areas.

The participants said that plantation would not only help in arresting environmental degradation in the area bout would also augment income of local people.

Other issues of the area including education, health, electricity and appointment of PTC teachers were also discussed in the gathering.

Meanwhile, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government is likely to award status of district to Tanawal area of Mansehra, according to sources.

Sources said that Chief Minister Ameer Haider Khan Hoti would announce Tanawal as a new district of Hazara division during his visit to Shergar on Wednesday (today).

They said that MPA Habibur Rehman Tanoli had assured the leaders of Awami National Party that he would join the pasty if chief minister made an announcement about giving status of district to Tanawal. It would change the politics of Mansehra district, sources said.

“My father is going to join ANP during the big public gathering in Shergar as Mr Hoti will announce Tanawal as a new district of Hazara in the public meeting,” said Faisal Tanoli, the son of MPA Tanoli, on Tuesday.

Sources said that MPA Tanoli, who had been elected to the provincial assembly five times, had held meetings with ANP leaders and Provincial Minister Mian Iftikhar Hussain last week and agreed to join the party if the provincial government declared Tanawal as a new district.

Sources in ANP said that two former lawmakers from Mansehra district were also likely to announce joining the party during the public gathering.—Nisar Ahmad Khan