Gravel mining along Swat River banned.

MINGORA -- Deputy Commissioner of Swat Saqib Raza Aslam on Tuesday announced a ban on gravel mining along the Swat River.

He made the announcement during a meeting with local elders in Khwazakhela area. The deputy commissioner directed the tehsil administration to take immediate action against violators of the gravel mining ban,

He also asked the municipal administration to ensure cleanliness of Khwazakhela Bazaar and other public places on a daily basis and remove stray dogs from the bazaar.

Meanwhile, commissioner of Malakand division Riaz Khan Mehsud on Tuesday said strict action had been taken against the people involved in the illegal tree cutting and timber smuggling in the region to protect forests.

The commissioner told reporters here that the government had declared 2020 a year of the protection of forest and promotion of tourism, so the people involved in illegal tree cutting were dealt with strictly.

'We have arrested 42 for illegally cutting 219 precious trees in Kumrat valley. Our crackdown will continue until the...