PESHAWAR: Taking an important step for environmental protection and elimination of encroachments along rivers, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has decided to bring amendments to the River Protection Ordinance 2002.
For this purpose, a draft of the River Protection Amendment Bill 2025 has been prepared, which has been completed by the Law Department and sent to the Irrigation Department. According to the document, the proposed bill proposes to declare a 200-foot area on both sides of the rivers as protected land, under which no construction or commercial activities will be allowed in this area without permission.
Other important points included Planting trees and other environmental measures near rivers have been made mandatory. For bridges or any type of construction, it will be mandatory to obtain NOC from the relevant authorities. In case of hotel or domestic construction, it will be mandatory to install a wastewater treatment plant within a radius of 200 feet. The fine for violation of the law has been increased from Rs 10,000 to Rs 100,000.
At least 7 days’ notice must be given to eliminate encroachments, otherwise, a penalty of up to 7 years’ imprisonment has been proposed for non-compliance after the notice.Violation has been declared a non-bailable offence. According to the authorities, the aim of this bill is to protect the province’s natural water bodies from pollution, encroachment by the mafia and illegal construction. After the bill is approved, it will be strictly implemented.
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