Punjab government has decided to initiate a novel concept to create a 'wall of forests' around industrial cities of Ludhiana, Mandi Gobindgarh, Jalandhar and Batala to reduce the level of pollution there.

As part of this campaign, sapling worth Rs two crore would be planted around these cities.

Forest Minister Arunesh Shakir said here on Tuesday that the forest department was committed to ensuring pollution-free environment in industrial cities and sapling in big numbers would be planted around these cities.

He said besides securing Rs two crore for saplings, the state government was also encouraging NGOs and local residents to plant saplings in industrial cities