In a recent development, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has decided to impose a fine of Rs. 20,000 on tourists for littering the Kalam and Kumrat valleys.
Accelerating the steps taken in this regard, the district administrations of both Swat and Upper Dir, on directions of the provincial government, are to ensure the imposition of the fine which will be taken into effect immediately.
In addition to this, the KP government has decided the infliction of Rs. 2 million fine and 3 years prison time for entities indulged in building illegal housing societies in both of the valleys.
The provincial government has also imposed a fine of Rs. 20,000 for building an illegal speed breaker and Rs. 25,000 fine for causing damage to any road in the valleys of Swat and Kumrat.
Since the resumption of tourism in Pakistan following the coronavirus pandemic, KP has witnessed the inundation of tourists from all over the country. In March, the provincial government had to take five-month-hiatus from tourism, due to the outbreak of COVID-19 in the whole country, which has ended in August.
According to the official figures stated by the KP’s Tourism Department, 2.68 million tourists have visited the province since August, 13.
Abbottabad tops the list of the most visited destination with 1.71 million tourists exploring the district since the reopening of tourism activities after the lockdown was lifted. Swat, with 0.6 million visitors, falls behind Abbottabad and remained the second most favorite destination of the tourists.
Previously, the KP government had also come forward, promoting the environmentally-friendly stance when they announced the ban on the use of polythene bags in the province. The violation of such a ban was meant to result in a strict fine and imprisonment, in case of repeated violations.
The Chief Minister of KP has repeatedly emphasized the use of electronic, print, and social media for extending awareness in the general public in this regard.
