MANSEHRA: The wildlife department, the police and the tehsil administration of Balakot in a joint action on Monday impounded 15 ferry boats being operated for commercial purposes in the Saiful Muluk Lake.

“We have confiscated 15 ferries, which were operating in the Saiful Muluk Lake despite notices served on the owners by the wildlife department not to indulge in the illegal activity,” Hazara division commissioner Riaz Mehsud told reporters in Naran.

A joint team led by range officer Abdul Basit Khan, tehsildar Balakot Jamshed Khan and Kaghan police station SHO Wajid Khan impounded the boats from the lake.

Mansehra deputy commissioner Dr Qasim Ali Khan had recently banned plying of ferries in the lake’s pond.

Commissioner Riaz Mehsud said drastic measures were being taken to preserve the flora, fauna and ecology of the Kaghan valley.

He said the provincial chief secretary and the police chief had recently visited the Kaghan valley and reviewed steps being taken to promote tourism.

The commissioner said the administration had removed encroachments along the Kunhar River and the Mansehra-Naran-Jalkhad Road to preserve the valley’s beauty and environment.

He urged the tourists not to litter the Saiful Muluk Lake, Kunhar River and MNJ Road.

Published in Dawn, June 22nd, 2021