F.P. Report
PESHAWAR: Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Mahmood Khan has directed authorities to conduct a proper study relating to environment and take preventive measures to control environmental degradation in District Swat.
He said this while chairing a meeting at Chief Minister House here on Sunday. He said that “Rapid deterioration of the environment is an alarming situation, now is the time to act as there is no space for further delays”.
The meeting was also informed about major causes and types of environmental degradation in the district Swat. It was said that deforestation in the district Swat has also increased in recent past due to conversion of forest and agriculture land for commercial utilization and illegal cutting during militancy.
The meeting was informed that there are approximately 38 marble factories, 350 hotels among which 102 hotels are located on Bank of river Swat while owners of 117 hotels were served with Environmental Protection Order since June 2019.
Data collection regarding sewerage lines is also underway and in Matta sub division, 1450 sewerage lines have been identified out of which 126 have been removed.
Addressing the meeting Chief Minister directed to implement all the decisions taken in the meeting and underlined the need to have a proper development authority in District Swat.
Mahmood Khan also directed a massive awareness campaign regarding environmental degradation through district administration Swat and also use electronic, print and social media along relevant forums and stakeholders.
He directed to ensure implementation of national forest policy 2015 so that proper operationalization of regular scientific management of forest is ensured.
He also agreed with the need of proper legislation regarding protection of river Swat and directed legislation should be done for proper filtration of industrial and hotel waste by concerned owners.
Mahmood Khan also directed to expedite ongoing initiatives to stopcontamination of fresh water resources at district level and added that scientific disposal of garbage is a major issue in the entire province that should be taken seriously by the concerned departments.
