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Conservation of River Swat (by Bakht Jehan, Executive Director, Environmental Protection Society,
Saidu Sharif, Swat Email: epsswat@brain.net.pk )

SWAT CONSERVATION PROJECT
Joint Effort of EPS & UNDP

The Valley

Swat Valley located in the northern region of Pakistan is known for its beauty through out the world. Tourism is considered as one of the main economic activity in the valley.

River Swat; originating from Ushu and Utror, flows in the main Swat valley for about 160 km from Kalam upto Chakdara. On the way many large and small tributaries join the river.

River Swat plays an important role in the economic life of Swat valley by providing asthetic value to the valley, water for irrigation and domestic use, recharging subsurface water for wells and springs and habitat for a number of fishes and water birds species.

The Problem

During the last 20 years, due to rapid expansion in the settlements along river Swat because of population explosion; unplanned construction of hotels and commercial buildings took place at the main tourist spots like Kalam, Bahrain, Madyan and Mingawara. The sewage from these settlements and hotels flow into the river Swat, resulting in the degradation of its water quality physio- chemically and bact- eriologicaly beside threatening its bio diversity.

Apart from the liquid waste, there is no proper dumping of Municipal solid waste which ultimately find its way into the river. The mass scale deforestation of the river’s watershed result in soil erosion. Illegal fishing practices like using dynamites, poison and electrocuting is badly effecting the fish and associated fauna of the river. Haphazard development and encroachments along the river side is another big issue.

Background

Keeping in view the intensity of the problem EPS highlighted the issue of river pollution at different forums and through print media, and has built pressure with the passage of time to successfully mobilize the concern line agencies for the protection of river Swat.

In 1994 the provincial govt. realized the gravity of the situation and various long term and short term measures were initiated for river Swat protection. Local administration attempted to control the situation, banning all sort of construction along the river. In 1996 River Swat Protection Cell (RSPC)was established in the Commissioner office and all the relevant line agencies & stakeholders were made the members of the cell to ensure the participation of all the interest groups and communities in the protection process.

Various attempts have been made to tackle the issue of river Swat but finally it was observed that such administrative measures are not the permanent solution of the problem and with out close coordination among the concern line agencies and active community participation a viable solution for the problem is not possible and therefore RSCP was initiated under UNDP’s GEF/SGP in 1998.

Objectives

1. Establishment of data base on River Swat for further use.
2. Creation of awareness among the local masses about the water pollution and its adverse effects on health and economic condition, betterment of ecosystem and importance of clean environment.
3. Development and strengthening of coordination among the concern govt. departments and selected communities for collective actions regarding the protection of river Swat and to expand it to other communities in due process.
4. To help govt. in developing land use planning and zoning guidelines for the valley and promote planned construction along the river side and stress for implementation of building by-laws vis-à-vis construction along the river Swat.

Methodology

- Organization of CBOs & Hoteliers
The process for community mobilization has been initiated at various levels. Three of the pilot communities has been selected in the target area, where the mechanism for sanitation and solid waste management will be tested and replicated in other communities in due course of time.

As the issue of river Swat is difficult to be dealt with only at village level , that’s why the Tehsil level river conservation committees have been established for the coordination with the concern line agencies regarding the protection of illegal practices in relation to river Swat.

Hotel Owners are being involved in the conservation efforts.

- Database
A Pollution survey and ecological study is being carried out to know its pollution source, intensity and potential role of stakeholders in minimizing and stopping detrimental activities.

- Educational Material
Educational material about the River, its role in the local economy and need for its protection and conservation will be prepared.

- Coordination
Keeping in view the sensitivity of the issue coordination among the concern line agencies is deemed extremely important. The expected end product of the project is the initiation of practicable conservation process for River Swat. EPS will play the role of coordinator in the conservation process to ensure participation of the interest groups.