PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government said it will amend legislation on river protection, introducing new measures to safeguard waterways and surrounding ecosystems.
Officials expect the bill, known as the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa River Protection Amendment Act, 2025, to move to the provincial cabinet for approval soon.
The draft bill designates a 200-foot buffer zone along rivers as protected land, restricting development in sensitive areas to preserve ecosystems. It also requires tree planting along riverbanks to reduce soil erosion, limit flood risks, and improve environmental health.
Under the proposals, individuals or companies planning to build bridges, hotels, homes, or other infrastructure within 200 feet of a river must secure a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from authorities. All new construction in the zone must also include a sewage treatment plant to prevent untreated waste from entering rivers.
The draft significantly raises fines for polluters. Authorities will increase penalties for releasing untreated sewage into rivers from Rs 10,000 to Rs 100,000.
The bill also targets illegal encroachments. It mandates a seven-day notice for removal and sets penalties of up to seven years in prison for violators who refuse to comply.
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The Law Department has completed the draft and forwarded it to the Irrigation Department for review.
