Islamabad, Jan 26, 2026: The Chitral Environment and Heritage Protection Society (CHEPS), in collaboration with North Naturals, organized a cleanup drive on Trail 3 of the Margalla Hills, Islamabad, as part of their routine and ongoing environmental protection activities.
A large number of environmental activists and members of various civil society organizations participated in the activity and collected garbage scattered along the trail, with the aim of promoting cleanliness, protecting biodiversity, and preserving the natural beauty of the Margalla Hills.
Talking to ChitralToday, CHEPS Chairman Rehmat Ali Jaffar Dost said that the primary objective of the cleanup drive was to create public awareness about the importance of environmental protection and to promote a greener, cleaner, and healthier planet. He said that CHEPS, along with its partner organizations, had been conducting similar environmental awareness and cleanup campaigns across the country, from Chitral to Karachi, for many years.
He emphasized the urgent need to protect forests and conserve trees, while also encouraging people to plant more trees in order to prevent environmental degradation and ecological imbalance. “When even a single tree is cut, it creates an imbalance in the ecosystem,” he said, adding that collective efforts from individuals, communities, and authorities are essential to safeguard nature for future generations.
Participants of the drive appreciated the initiative and stressed that such activities play a vital role in sensitizing the public. They urged both the authorities and the general public to actively play their role in preserving the Margalla Hills, which are considered one of Islamabad’s most valuable and environmentally significant natural assets.
It may be mentioned here that both Islamabad and Chitral have recently been in the media spotlight for rampant deforestation due to felling of trees in Shakarparian, Park Road and other areas of the federal capital and illegal logging by the timber mafia in Arandu valley of Chitral.
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