ISLAMABAD: A slaughterhouse located along the banks of the Swat River in Bahrain Tehsil, Swat, has come under scrutiny after reports emerged that animal waste is being dumped directly into the river, raising serious environmental and public health concerns.
The alleged practice, described by environmental advocates as illegal and highly irresponsible, poses a significant threat to one of Pakistan’s most important freshwater ecosystems. The Swat River is not only a major natural attraction but also an important source of water for local communities and aquatic biodiversity.
The issue gained public attention after a local journalist shared a video on social media, highlighting the alleged dumping of slaughterhouse waste into the river. The footage has sparked calls for immediate action from the authorities.
Environmental experts warn that disposing of animal waste into rivers contaminates water, harms aquatic life, degrades ecosystems, and increases the risk of waterborne diseases, particularly in communities where river water is used for domestic purposes. They note that protecting freshwater resources has become even more critical as Pakistan continues to face growing water scarcity and the impacts of climate change.
Citizens and environmental activists have urged the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, the Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (Pak-EPA), the district administration, the Assistant Commissioner Bahrain, the Tehsil Municipal Administration (TMA), and other relevant authorities to take immediate notice of the matter.
They have called for the slaughterhouse to be relocated to a suitable site equipped with proper sanitation and waste disposal facilities or, alternatively, for a scientifically managed waste disposal system to be established to prevent animal remains from entering the river.
Environmental campaigners stressed that protecting clean rivers and public health is a shared responsibility and expressed hope that the concerned authorities would take prompt and effective measures to address the issue.
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