SWAT: The district administration has imposed Section 144 in Swat to prohibit lighting fire, fireworks or any kind of action, which may cause fire in the forests or adjoining areas.

According to a statement issued by the office of deputy commissioner, the ban has been imposed for 60 days and in case of violation, strict action will be taken under Section 188 of Pakistan Penal Code.

An order issued by Deputy Commissioner Junaid Khan said that the ban was imposed in view of the notification of the department of forests, environment and wildlife and due to the increasing incidents of forest fire in the district.

The press release stated that the step was taken to ensure protection of forest and wildlife.

Last Saturday, the deputy commissioner sentenced two persons to three months imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs50,000 on each of them after they were found involved in cutting nine trees along a stream in Mingora. They were also directed to plant 70 saplings.

SCHEME: The chief executive officer of Water and Sanitation Services Company Swat, Shaida Mohammad, said on Monday that the gravity water supply scheme would permanently resolve the problem of drinking water shortage in Mingora and its suburbs.

Talking to local journalists in his office, he said that the project would be completed at a cost of about Rs17 billion. “The project consists of 21 kilomtres long four feet diameter pipeline from Khawzakhela to Mingora. A water treatment plant will be set up in Gashkor area that will provide 30 million gallons of clean water to people daily,” he added.

Shaida Mohammad said that after completion of the gravity scheme, 75 per cent of the population of Mingora would get water without using any motor or pump while only 25 per cent of the consumers would be provided with water through water pumps.

He said that the scheme was durable that would provide cheap and instant clean water to people. “The scheme will not only resolve the problem of shortage of clean drinking water, but will also resolve the issue of underground water scarcity. Water will also be available for farming from the scheme,” he added.

Published in Dawn, April 19th, 2022