MINGORA: The Swat River, often referred to as the region’s lifeblood, has long been a source of beauty, sustenance, and cultural significance for the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
It’s clear, flowing waters once attracted tourists and provided fresh water for drinking, irrigation, and daily use. However, in recent years, the river has fallen victim to increasing pollution, and if immediate steps were not taken, its future-and the well-being of the communities dependent on it-could be in jeopardy.
Several key factors contribute to the pollution of the Swat River, and they all point to the rapid pace of urbanization, industrialization, and inadequate waste management. “In the next decade we will face many issues due to polluted rivers, including fresh water resources for drinking and irrigation. The local authorities and provincial government are least interested in addressing this burning issue”, said Akbar Zaib, head of Environmental Protection Society, a non-governmental organization working for the environment.
He added that towns and cities along the river have expanded, so have local industries. While factories have brought economic growth, they have also brought untreated waste and chemicals that were being released directly into the river.
Textile mills, restaurants, hotels and stone crusher industries were among the culprits, dumping harmful pollutants that not only degrade water quality but also pose significant risks to public health.
With the region’s population growing, so has the amount of domestic and industrial wastewater. Unfortunately, the infrastructure to treat sewage has not kept up with this expansion.In many areas, untreated waste is discharged directly into the river, contaminating the water with bacteria, viruses, and toxic substances. This creates a breeding ground for waterborne diseases, especially in rural areas where access to clean drinking water is limited.
The spokesman for Swat Qaumi Jirga, Ahmad Shah, told this scribe that the water of Swat River was once used for drinking, but unfortunately, now it was not even usable to wash hands.
“Agriculture is another significant contributor to river pollution. Farmers often rely heavily on chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides, many of which find their way into the river system during heavy rainfall or irrigation. This agricultural runoff not only harms aquatic life but also contributes to the process of eutrophication, where excessive nutrients in the water lead to harmful algae blooms that suffocate the river’s ecosystems”, he added
Zubair Torwali, a resident of Bahrain town in Swat and an activist for the environment, added that solid waste, particularly plastic, was increasingly being dumped along the riverbanks, clogging the natural flow of water, and creating unsightly litter.
“Deforestation in the catchment areas surrounding the river is worsening soil erosion, leading to higher levels of sediment in the water, which further degrades water quality. While tourism is a vital part of Swat’s economy, it also brings its share of environmental challenges. Poor waste management, unregulated development, and overcrowding during the peak tourist season exacerbate pollution levels. Without proper planning, tourism risks becoming a double-edged sword for the region’s environment”, Torwai said, adding that the pollution of the Swat River was not just an environmental issue-it’s a public health crisis.
Contaminated water increases the spread of waterborne diseases like cholera and dysentery, especially in rural communities where people depend on the river for drinking water. The pollution also threatens local biodiversity. Fish populations, vital for the local food chain and economy, are increasingly at risk from toxic pollutants and the changing conditions in the river.
Restoring the Swat River to its former health requires a multifaceted approach, and it must begin with greater awareness and responsibility. Both the local government and the community must take a unified stance to combat pollution and protect this vital resource.
“Farmers need to be encouraged to adopt more sustainable agricultural practices, such as reducing pesticide and fertilizer use and implementing eco-friendlier irrigation techniques. Training and awareness programs can help make these changes more accessible”, said Ihsan Khan, the general secretary of the Pakistan Kisan Board. He added that local authorities must establish regulations for responsible tourism to prevent overcrowding and environmental degradation.
This could include setting up proper waste disposal systems, enforcing strict building codes, and educating tourists about the environmental importance of preserving the river.Professor Fazal Rabbi, a resident, added that addressing deforestation through reforestation efforts and controlling soil erosion in the catchment areas was essential to reducing sedimentation in the river. He suggested that Local communities should be involved in tree-planting campaigns and erosion control initiatives.
