Major commercial establishments in Galyat are wreaking havoc on local communities and natural springs, necessitating immediate intervention.
In the Galyat region, including the famous tourist spot of Nathia Gali, sewage from numerous hotels and plazas is seeping into vital water reserves today. This pollution is particularly affecting the residents of Circle Bakot and Galyat, who rely on these springs for their water supply. The discharge of sewage into ravines and gullies has rendered the water of five springs unusable, affecting thousands of residents.
A formal complaint has been lodged at the Bagnotar police station, demanding immediate action from the Deputy Commissioner and the Director of Galyat Development Authority. The complaint, filed by former Tehsil Council member Shiraz Khan, highlights the negligence of tanker drivers allegedly involved in discharging hotel sewage into the environment.
Local water supply schemes, such as the Abbottabad Gravity Flow Scheme and the Dhamtor Water Supply, are being affected. The leakage of contaminated water through these schemes is bringing foul-smelling water into homes, prompting locals to disconnect their lines, leading to a severe shortage of drinking water.
In response to growing concerns, a delegation of local leaders inspected the situation, revealing evidence of waste dumping at night. Previous incidents of illegal waste disposal have been documented and reported, but effective measures have yet to be taken.
Residents of Circle Bakot, Galyat, and Lower Galyat demand strict legal action against those responsible for this environmental damage. They appeal to authorities to stop the indiscriminate dumping of hotel waste and commercial garbage, which not only tarnishes tourist spots but also poses a serious threat to public health and the natural environment.