By Dr. Tariqullah Khan
The Chitral Area Development Vision 2020 has been envisioned to achieve dignified, sustainable, and inclusive development for the people of the valley. The primary focus of this vision is “Chitral River Control and Management,” which was released on the occasion of the formation of PTI’s new government in KPK.
We welcome the PTI government in KPK and pray for its success in building the province into a model for the rest of Pakistan. In the context of Chitral’s sustainable development, I urge the PTI government to focus on a single, important agenda: “Reclamation of land from the Chitral River and the revival of the wasted riverbeds (showtars) into cultivable land.” This can be accomplished through a five-year master plan for the control of the river, revival, and rehabilitation of the showtars.
There are approximately 20 showtars in Chitral that, if revived and rehabilitated, could double the cultivable land in the valley. Transforming the ferocious Chitral River from an enemy into the most valuable asset for the Chitrali people is an achievable goal. A Google Earth view of the river’s destruction shows the following damage zones along the Chitral River:
* 2 km destruction zone at Balach
* 4 km destruction zone from Chitral before reaching Ayune
* 6 km destruction zone at Ayune/Gahirait
* 4 km destruction zone at Jutilasht/Drosh
* 4 km destruction zone at Bumbagh
* 6 km destruction zone at Junakoch
* 3 km destruction zone at Booni/Awi
* 3 km destruction zone at Gasoti/Moreder
* 6 km destruction zone at Torkhow 1
* 6 km destruction zone at Torkhow 2
* 6 km destruction zone at Torkhow 3
* 2 km destruction zone at Torkhow 4
* 6 km destruction zone at Sarghuz and Mastuj
* 14 km destruction zone at Chuinj, Chapali, and Kargeen
* 6 km destruction zone at Khuz, Niwaishiru, and Brep
* 9 km destruction zone at Yarkhun Valley 1
* 4 km destruction zone at Yarkhun Valley 2
* 4 km destruction zone at Yarkhun Valley 3
* 4 km destruction zone at Yarkhun Valley 4
* Slope of the Laspur Valley
Benefits of Chitral River Control and Management
Reclaiming the land will more than **double the cultivable land** in the valley, as well as protecting lives, land, and property. The benefits will include:
* Enhanced production of crops, fruits, vegetables, and dairy
* Generation of electricity
* Promotion of tourism
* Positive environmental impact and setting an example for indigenous resource development
How to Control and Manage the Chitral River?
Step 1: Assess the scale of destruction in different zones, recognize the high impact of this initiative, and understand its potential positive implications for sustainable and inclusive development in Chitral.
Step 2: Negotiate with local communities and community organizations to understand the potential benefits, create consensus, and develop social contracts.
Step 3: In collaboration with local communities, prepare a five-year master plan for river control and land rehabilitation.
Step 4: Negotiate with provincial and federal governments, as well as donors, to focus on the implementation of the initiative.
Step 5: Implement the master plan in phases.
Step 6: Follow-up and monitor the implementation to ensure success.
Key Elements of the Funding Structure for Chitral River Management
The funding structure for Chitral River management requires a partnership between local communities, investors, the government, and donors. The Chitral River Management Company (CRMC) will act as a trustee.
The KPK Provincial Assembly will legislate and transfer titles of affected land to the CRMC.
The CRMC will categorize the land as follows:
Category 1 : Top priority for people who have lost land to the river.
Category 2: People with historical ownership claims on the land but who have not lost cultivable land or property.
Category 3: Commercial investors.
Funding Structure Details
The CRMC will issue transferable land ownership bonds (LOBs) in three categories:
Category 1: People who have lost land to the river (20% of the commercial price).
Category 2: People with historical ownership claims (50% of the commercial price).
Category 3: Commercial investors.
The KPK government will facilitate financing for all three categories of LOB buyers through the banking system.
Donors, the KPK government, and the federal government will compensate Category 1 buyers at 80% of the commercial price and Category 2 buyers at 50% of the commercial price.
Conclusion
Believe in the power of your resources, and own and share the contact with others to make this initiative a reality.