Staff Reporter
Peshawar
Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Mahmood Khan has urged the need for immediate actions and preventive measures to control environmental degradation in District Swat directing the authorities concerned to conduct proper scientific study of the environment for the purpose. ‘Rapid deterioration of the environment is an alarming situation, now is the time to act as there is no space for further delays,’ he added.
While chairing an important meeting at Chief Minister House Peshawar, Mahmood Khan also directed that a massive awareness campaign regarding environmental degradation should be led by district Administration Swat in which Electronic, Print and Social Media along with Mosques, Hujras and all other relevant forums and stakeholders should be involved to create awareness in people regarding negative impacts of environmental degradation.
The meeting was informed that major causes and types of environmental degradation in the District Swat include air pollution, water contamination, soil erosion and pollution, deforestation, population explosion, urbanization/industrialization, use of plastic bags/products, noise pollution and climate change.
Deforestation in District Swat has also increased in the recent past due to conversion of forest/agriculture land to commercial and developmental activities and illegal cutting during militancy which has also contributed its significant share in increased pollution.
