Structures, buildings along stream in Naran demolished

MANSEHRA: The district administration on Thursday demolished structures and buildings obstructing the flow of stream and nullah in Naran area of Kaghan valley.

“We have demolished buildings and structures constructed at the Saiful Muluk Lake tributary that caused damage by blocking water flow in Naran town earlier this year,” Assad Shahzad, assistant director of the Kaghan Development Authority (KDA), told reporters.

A joint team from the district administration, police, and KDA, equipped with shovel machines, participated in the anti-encroachment drive launched in the tourist resort of Naran and its surrounding areas.

“This operation has been launched under the special directives of the provincial government and with the support of district administration and police,” he said.Buildings and structures that were built without prior approval from local authorities and had caused destruction during the flash floods earlier this year were demolished.

Shahzad said that the owners had been served with notices earlier this year, warning them to demolish or remove structures obstructing the flow of streams and tributaries.“The illegally constructed buildings along streams have been demolished and the remaining structures will also be removed,” he added.

The official said that Kaghan valley was a popular tourist destination but has been impacted by global warming as flash floods caused substantial losses and adversely affected the tourism industry.

“We will ensure that no one constructs buildings or structures along the riverside Kaghan valley,” he went on to add.Meanwhile, the police arrested 14 protesters for hurling stones at workers of a local dam when they attempted to lay a pylon in the Paras area of Kaghan valley.

A policeman was injured in the attack and was shifted to a health facility in Balakot.The residents of Paras and nearby areas staged a protest as workers of the under-construction Balakot Hydropower project were laying a pylon.“The situation is under control following the incident,” a press release issued by the police.