River Swat Conservation Project

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River Swat Conservation Project

VISION

River Swat with no Pollution, Encroachments and Illegal practices.

MISSION

Development of the environmental conservation concept through education, motivation & participatory approach.

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 valley for about 160 km upto Chakdara. Many large and small tributaries join the river along its course.

River Swat plays an important role in the economy of the valley, provides aesthetic value to the valley, water for irrigation and domestic use, recharging subsurface water for wells and springs and is a habitat for various fish and bird species.

The Problem

River Swat faces threats of contamination. This threat has become more visible in the last few years because of rapid population growth and tremendous building activities in the settlements along the River bank e.g., Kalam, Bahrain, Madyan and Mingawara city.

Sewage from commercial and residential buildings along the River is directly drained into the river, resulting in the degradation of its water quality and threatening its biodiversity.

There is no proper dumping/treatment of Municipal solid waste which ultimately find its way into the River.

The mass scale deforestation of the river’s watershed results in soil erosion.

Illegal fishing practices like using dynamites, poisoning and electrocution badly affect the fish and other fauna of the River.

Illegal hunting on large scale is a threat to the water associated birds.

Haphazard development along the river side and illegal encroachments into the river is another big issue.

BACKGROUND

Keeping in view the intensity of the problem EPS highlighted the issue of river pollution at different fora and through print media. The concerned agencies have since been successfully mobilized for the protection of the River. In 1994 the provincial government realized the gravity of the situation and adopted various long and short term measures for the River protection. Local administration attempted to control the situation by 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 agencies & stakeholders are made the members of the cell to ensure the participation of the interest groups in the process.

In order to improve coordination among different stakeholders and mobilizing communities, EPS prepared River Swat Conservation Project (RSCP), which was accepted and funded by Global Environmental Facility/Small Grants Programme (GEF/SGP) of United Nation Development Programme (UNDP). The project started in September 1998.

OBJECTIVES

Following are the objectives of the project.

To collect data about ecology, water quality and sources of pollution of the River.

Raise awareness among the local masses about water pollution and its adverse effects on health and economic conditions and betterment of ecosystem.

Develop and strengthen coordination among the concerned government departments and selected communities for collective actions regarding the protection of River Swat.

To help government in developing land use planning and zoning guidelines for the valley and promote planned construction along the River side Swat.

ACTIVITIES

Broader activities proposed to be carried out during the implementation of River Swat Conservation Project (RSCP) are discussed below.

Organization of CBOs & Hotel Owners

To meet objectives of the project the process for community mobilization has been initiated at various levels. Three of the pilot communities have 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 deal with at village level alone, Tehsil level River conservation committees have, therefore, been established for promoting coordination with the concerned agencies to check illegal practices affecting the River.

Hotel Owners Association will be convinced and supported to include issues of mutual interest regarding the protection of the River in their agenda.

Database

A comprehensive survey of the river and its tributaries will be carried out to know sources and quantity of pollution. The potential role of stakeholders in minimizing detrimental activities will be exploited.

Ecological survey will be carried out to know the existing flora and fauna of the River. Causes of depletion of biodiversity will be looked into and possible remedial measures will be drawn for recommendations and action.

Awareness Raising

Seminars, Workshops, Walks and Roundtables will be organized for public awarness to seek their point of view and advise about River Swat Conservation.

Educational Material

Educational material about the role of River Swat in the local economy and need for its protection and conservation will be prepared and distributed.

Coordination

In this connection the project will try to;

Ensure regular visits of task force for checking the target area and report to the concern quarter.

Develop consensus among the stakeholders about land use planning and zoning along the river side.

The expected end result of the project is the initiation of practicable conservation process for River Swat. EPS will play the role of coordinator in this process.

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