‘When I was young we river Swat They used to drink water. They used to take houses too. It was very sweet. Then this river and its water used to be clear and transparent.’
This was said by Bada Khan, a 60-year-old resident of a village on the banks of the Swat River, who has spent most of his life watching the changes in the waters of the Swat River.
Talking to Independent Urdu, Bada Khan said that now the water of Swat river is getting dirty and is not fit for drinking. “The floods of 2010 and 2022 also played a role in destroying the beauty of the Swat River.”
There was a time when the locals and tourists of Swat were happy to see the crystal clear water of Swat River, but it was also used for drinking purposes.
However, the situation in Swat River is completely different at present. Its water is not as sweet as before, nor does it have the beauty of the past.
Independent Urdu obtained information from multiple government agencies and departments under the Access to Information Act regarding the fading beauty of the Swat River and the reduction in the sweetness of its water.
Unsophisticated constructions
Unlike in the past, houses, markets, hotels and restaurants can be seen at most places on both banks of the Swat River.
Environmental Mohammad Riaz, assistant director and environmentalist working at the conservation agency, says the main reason for the pollution in the Swat river is the population living on its banks.
‘The waste water of the population falls directly into the Swat river and causes the water to become dirty.’
Zeeshan Pervez, General Manager of Water and Sanitation Services Mengorah said that sewage water is very harmful for Swat River, therefore septic tanks should be built in houses (Waqar Ahmad Swati).
Waste and filth from hotels and restaurants along its banks have played a major role in polluting the fresh water of the Swat River.
The sewage water of the local population also flowed into the Swat river itself, spoiling the sweet and medicinal water.
According to the information obtained under the Access to Information Act from the Department of Water and Sanitation Services of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Government in Mingora, the main city of Swat, according to the 2017 census, the population of Swat is 23 lakh 9 thousand 570, while the neighborhood of Mingora city 388 thousand people live in the councils.
According to statistics, about 8 million gallons of sewage from Mingora city flows into the Swat River every day, which is estimated to increase to more than 1.5 million gallons per day by 2045.
Zeeshan Pervaiz, General Manager of Water and Sanitation Services Mingora, said that sewage water is very harmful for the Swat River, so septic tanks should be built in the houses.
He said that the WSSC has prepared a master plan for the disposal of sewage water in the area, but he directed the people to build their houses as per the officially approved plan and install septic tanks.
“The public has to play a role to clean and maintain the water of the Swat River because dirty water is not only harmful to human health but also harms the life found in the river.”
Mohammad Riaz said: “Trout fish and other Swati fish are also threatened by the dirt found in the river water, while some aquatic life is also being killed.”
According to the Irrigation Department, during 2020 to 2023, four major operations were conducted against illegal encroachments on the banks of the Swat River within the boundaries of Swat district and around 90 illegal encroachments were removed.
According to the River Protection Act, construction of buildings within 200 feet of all eight sides of the floodplain of the river is prohibited, but the land can be used for agricultural purposes.
This section contains related reference points (Related Nodes field).
Digging in the river
Mohammad Riaz said that illegal mining in the river has also affected the water quality.
Over the years, the Swat River has also become a source of sand and crushed stone used in construction, for which heavy machinery is installed.
The drainage of sand and gravel has badly affected the natural beauty of the river Swat while creating huge potholes in the river.
Samreen, a housewife from a village on the banks of the Swat River, told Independent Urdu that sand is extracted from the Swat River near Mingora and Kanju, for which heavy machinery is used.
‘Big puddles can be seen in the river which have lost the beauty of the river.’
Effects of floods
Before the floods of 2010, the banks of the Swat River were lush with fields and greenery and the beauty reflected in the water.
Floods have destroyed the natural beauty of this river and from Kalam to Mingora, huge rocks and sand are seen in the river Swat.
According to the information obtained from the Swat Irrigation Department, the length of the Swat river is 240 km from Kalam Bazar to Charsadda and there is also a population within the limits of Swat district from Kalam to Linda.
According to the records of the Hydrology Division in the Irrigation Department, an average of more than 6,000 cusecs of water is released from the Swat river every day.
On 26 August 2022, a water discharge of 246,000 cusecs was recorded at Khwaja Khela gauge station in Swat district, which was a very high level flood.
Swat river water
According to information obtained through Right to Information from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Environmental Protection Agency, the water of Swat River is not fit for drinking.
According to official data, in 2019, water samples collected from the locations of Kalam, Bahrain, Madin and Fizagat on the Swat River were tested.
Kalam water had a result of 119 against the National Environmental Quality Standard (NEQS) of 150, while Bahrain water had 220, Madin 415 and Fizagat 460 NEQS. .
If the NEQS is more than 150, the water is not potable.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, this means that the water from the Swat River downstream of the Kalam becomes dirty and unfit for drinking.
Chemical oxygen demand tests proved violations of the law at locations in Kalam, Bahrain, Madin and Fizagat.
A survey conducted to check the oxygen level at the water surface showed that the dissolved oxygen level, temperature, pH level and DO level in the water of Swat river were fine at the places. While at the location of Fizagat, this level has been declared poor.
It shows that as the water of the Swat River reaches the populated area below, it becomes dirty and becomes unfit for drinking.
According to the information obtained from the environmental protection agency working in Swat, the survey also states that the water of Swat river is not fit for drinking.
Samreen, a woman from a village on the banks of the Swat River, said: ‘It was not long ago when we used to come to the banks of the Swat River with our family in summer. We feel a comfort here. Then the water used to be very clean which we also drank.’
He recalled the bygone days and said that many women used to wash their clothes in the water of Swat river.
‘But not yet. However, women in the uplands still wash their clothes in river water because the water is clean there.’
Position of Hotels Association
All Swat Hotels Association Swat District President Alhaji Zahid Khan told Independent Urdu that there are 40 to 45 hotels along the banks of the Swat River from Landake to Kalam, which have septic tanks installed.
Regarding the waste water in the Swat River, he said that apart from the hotels, the upper areas have a population of 1.2 million, from which the waste water falls into the Swat River.
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Interview with Bada Khan: Reflecting on the Swat River’s Changes
Interviewer: Thank you for joining us today, Bada Khan. You’ve witnessed significant changes in the Swat River over the years. Can you tell us about your early memories of the river?
Bada Khan: Yes, of course. When I was young, the Swat River was a source of life. People used to drink the water directly from it. It was crystal clear and sweet. It’s hard to believe that it used to be such a beautiful part of our lives.
Interviewer: You mentioned the changes you’ve seen. What do you think are the main reasons for these changes in the river’s water quality and aesthetics?
Bada Khan: There are many factors, but the most alarming is pollution. The floods in 2010 and 2022 destroyed much of the river’s natural beauty. Now, people living along the banks throw their waste directly into the river. It’s not just the local population; hotels and restaurants also contribute to the mess. The water is no longer fit for drinking.
Interviewer: It sounds distressing. Has there been any response from the authorities regarding this pollution issue?
Bada Khan: Some efforts have been made to clean up, but they are not enough. Environmental experts like Mohammad Riaz have pointed out that sewage systems need improvement. Solutions such as septic tanks for houses are essential, but the people need to take initiative as well.
Interviewer: Beyond pollution, you mentioned your concerns about the river’s ecosystem. Can you elaborate on that?
Bada Khan: Absolutely. The pollution threatens aquatic life. Species like trout, which were once abundant here, are now endangered due to dirty waters. It’s heartbreaking to see our river becoming unsafe for both humans and wildlife.
Interviewer: Looking back, how do you feel about the future of the Swat River?
Bada Khan: I remain hopeful but concerned. If the community and authorities do not act quickly to address pollution and other issues like illegal mining, we will lose what remains of this beautiful river. It’s not just water; it’s part of our culture and heritage.
Interviewer: Thank you, Bada Khan, for sharing your insights. It’s important for more people to be aware of these issues and the need for collective action to protect our natural resources.
Bada Khan: Thank you for having me. I hope that my words inspire others to cherish and protect our beloved Swat River.
Hammad Riaz have pointed out that building more septic tanks and enforcing regulations against illegal dumping are essential. However, change takes time, and many locals feel helpless as they watch their river deteriorate.
Interviewer: What do you think is the role of the local community in this situation?
Bada Khan: The community has a crucial role to play. We need to educate people about the importance of keeping the river clean. If everyone contributes, we can begin to restore the beauty of the Swat River. It’s not just about the water; it’s our heritage and identity.
Interviewer: Looking ahead, what do you hope for the future of the Swat River?
Bada Khan: I hope for a time when families can again enjoy the river as we did in the past. I’d like to see clear water that we can drink and share with tourists. If we all work together, I believe it’s still possible to revive the river’s beauty.
Interviewer: Thank you, Bada Khan, for sharing your thoughts and experiences with us today. Your insights are invaluable in understanding the challenges faced by the Swat River.
Bada Khan: Thank you for having me. Let’s hope others can hear our story and take action.
