Khyber Pakhtunkhwa [Pakistan], April 2 : The marble industry in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Mohmand district, once hailed as a driver of employment and economic activity, is now drawing criticism for its damaging environmental and safety consequences.
Residents and experts warn that unchecked industrial practices are endangering water systems, farmland, and infrastructure across the region, as reported by Dawn.
According to Dawn, Mohmand is endowed with valuable natural resources such as marble, chromite, and nephrite. These resources have played a significant role in supporting local livelihoods and contributing to the national economy.
However, the absence of strict regulatory oversight has resulted in serious environmental degradation.
Authorities had earlier launched the Mohmand Marble City project, now called the Mohmand Economic Zone at Machnai, to relocate factories into a structured industrial setup with proper waste management systems.
Despite this initiative, only a small number of units have moved, while most continue to operate in Halimzai tehsil, particularly in areas like Chanda, Sangar, and Nasapai. Experts highlight that many factories are releasing untreated wastewater, marble slurry, and dust into natural streams. This unchecked dumping is clogging waterways, heightening the risk of flash floods during heavy rainfall.
Officials cautioned that blocked drainage channels could result in severe damage to homes, agricultural lands, and roads.
The environmental fallout is also affecting government-built small dams designed to combat water scarcity. These reservoirs are rapidly filling with industrial debris. A check dam near Chanda Bazaar is nearly choked with waste, while the Abdul Shakoor Small Dam near Ghalanai faces a similar threat, potentially undermining irrigation and fisheries projects, as cited by Dawn.
Residents have expressed frustration over the authorities' inaction despite repeated complaints. Observers argue that weak enforcement of environmental laws has allowed industries to operate without adhering to safety standards.
Stakeholders are now urging immediate intervention, including strict enforcement of regulations, relocation of hazardous units, and urgent desilting of dams and waterways to prevent further ecological damage, as reported by Dawn.
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