MANSEHRA, July 14: A UK-based international organisation has begun a campaign to clean Lake Saiful Muluk and raise awareness of pollution control among visitors.

According to Khobaib Ahmad Vahedy, the country director of Muslim Aid, his organisation has begun the ‘Know Green and Go Green’ campaign to protect lakes and glaciers in the country against pollution, and as part of it, more than 100 people are cleaning Lake Saiful Muluk by removing trash, especially polythene bags and plastic and glass bottles.

Mr Vahedy told reporters at the lake on Saturday that besides Muslim Aid volunteers, tourists, too, were actively participating in the cleanliness campaign.

He said trash was later properly disposed of with the help of the forest department.

Mr Vahedy said his organisation, which recently constructed a 50-bedded hospital before handing over its management to a local organisation, had already begun a campaign to plant saplings around Lake Saiful Muluk for its preservation.

“We are creating awareness among visitors of how to keep the lake and its surroundings clean,” he said.

The Muslim Aid country director said climatic changes had led to the melting of glaciers and snows on mountains around Lake Saiful Muluk and thus, causing the lake to lose natural beauty and charm.

He said the lake, which had been declared a natural site, must be protected under Ramsar pact signed by more than 70 countries, including Pakistan, in 1972.