MOHMAND: Against the backdrop of growing climate vulnerability and environmental degradation, the district administration and marble industry representatives in upper Mohmand have agreed to develop a coordinated, time-bound mechanism for safe disposal of marble waste and restoration of Chanda Check Dam.

The decision was taken at a high-level meeting chaired by upper Mohmand assistant commissioner Sikandar Afzaal at his office here on Thursday. Officials of Tehsil Municipal Administration (TMA), irrigation department and leaders of Marble Owners Association attended the meeting.

Participants of the meeting expressed concern that unchecked discharge of marble slurry into waterways was not only polluting local ecosystems but also compounding climate-related risks including water contamination, reduced storage capacity of reservoirs and heightened vulnerability to flash floods during heavy rains.

Opening the session, Mr Afzaal warned that continued dumping of waste into the dam and natural drainage channels could worsen environmental stress in an already climate-sensitive region.

Call for coordinated efforts to protect dam, drainage channels

He said the administration aimed to ensure that economic activity did not come at the cost of environmental sustainability. “The objective is not to shut down the industry, but to regulate it responsibly in line with environmental safeguards,” he said, adding that factory operations would continue alongside a structured clean-up drive.

Under the agreed framework, the irrigation department will demarcate the boundaries of Chanda Check Dam to prevent encroachment and illegal dumping, while the TMA will undertake a comprehensive clean-up operation and ensure transportation of accumulated waste to designated disposal sites.

Marble factory owners will contribute through sanitation charges, reflecting a shared responsibility model.

Mr Afzaal also directed marble factory owners to convene a joint meeting within a week, bringing together stakeholders from Mamad Gat, Sanger and adjoining areas to finalise a practical and enforceable strategy for waste management including measures for desilting the dam and improving water flow.

Representatives of marble industry welcomed the initiative and sought time for consultations before presenting a consolidated plan.

They noted that previous efforts had been disrupted by administrative changes and recent heavy rains were a reminder of the increasing frequency of extreme weather events affecting the area.

While acknowledging their role, industry representatives maintained that the siltation of the Chanda Check Dam was not solely due to marble waste, pointing to torrential rains and flash floods as significant contributing factors.

The meeting also reviewed social media claims about fish deaths allegedly linked to marble waste, terming them unverified in the absence of conclusive scientific evidence.

Highlighting the economic importance of the sector, participants noted that the marble industry has attracted investments worth millions of rupees and provides livelihoods to over 10,000 people.

However, they stressed that long-term sustainability required adopting environmentally responsible practices in line with emerging climate realities. The meeting concluded with a commitment from all stakeholders to implement the agreed measures in letter and spirit.

A follow-up meeting is scheduled for May 7 to assess progress and finalise the action plan, marking a step towards integrating environmental protection with local economic development in a climate challenged region.

Published in Dawn, May 1st, 2026