Commissioner Malakand Division orders to expedite campaign for Swat river beauty restoration

Swat: Commissioner Malakand Division Syed Zaheer Ul Islam presided a high-level meeting in his office to review measures taken to stop illegal mining in the Malakand division and restoration of the Swat river to its original beauty on Tuesday. The meeting was attended by Deputy Commissioners and officers of the Mines and Minerals Department and Environmental Protection Agency.

The meeting reviewed the steps taken to curb illegal mining in Malakand Division and made suggestions to bring the mining sector in line with the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).  Presiding over the meeting, Commissioner Malakand Division said that the concerned Deputy Commissioners should collect data related to illegal mining in the districts.  He said that SOPs should be ensured for excavation and extraction of construction materials in the interior of Swat River and floodplain areas.  Reviewing the issue of illegal crushing, Syed Zaheer-ul-Islam said that action against illegal crushing plants should be intensified. Giving details in the meeting, Deputy Commissioner Swat said that so far 23 crush plants have been sealed and fines have been imposed.  Deputy Commissioner Malakand Division said that 14 crush plants have been sealed in Malakand district. Commissioner Malakand said that the identification of mining blocks should be in accordance with the law and in this regard it should be made clear to the public by placing advertisements in the newspaper.

Focusing on the Swat River, Commissioner Malakand Division said that the Swat River is the identity of the district and its natural beauty will be restored to its original state, and steps in this regard will have to be intensified.  Explaining the details of the meeting, the Senior Engineer said that encroachments on 99 different places on the Swat River have been removed and further action is being taken.  Issuing instructions to the concerned departments, Commissioner Malakand Division said that implementation of environmental regulations should be expedited by removing obstacles in the natural flow of the Swat River.