Wetland and Unsung Story of Chino Baba: Environmental Meltdown Around the Marshland

Little way down the lane from the main Kabal road at the lower end of Kanju village, Swat Valley, lies a small graveyard. Entering it the first site you behold is a tomb, with the headstone on the grave reads, "Chino Baba son of Sultan Mehmoud Ghaznavi", the great Muslim conqueror, also known as 'idol smasher in history.' 

  

Wetland and Unsung Story of Chino Baba - The Home of Springs:

How it gets the name, the picturesque resort in itself tells the entire story. The Pashto term, "Chino", has been derived from 'chiney', which means springs of water and "Baba", is the saint resting there almost in the middle of the mountains above and River Swat down it. 

Unlike his brother Sham Baba in the mountains above, Chino Baba was buried there down in the wetland. They reportedly came from Sham (Syria) for a holy war, and martyred in a Holy War in 413 Hijrah. However, there is no authentic record to prove or disapprove these sayings, except the folklores descending down through generations.  

Wetland Natural Beauty:

The picturesque resort was just an example of wetland natural beauty. Unfortunately, like any other site of the scenic Swat Valley, its splendor can be found in the ruins of lost luster. It was blessed with a model ecosystem in abundant natural resources - springs, trees, wild fruits, greener pastures, sprawling fields, bunches of flowers, birds and insects. 

It created a unique and captivating landscapes by the interplay of water, vegetation, and wildlife. Its vibrant ecosystems teemed with biodiversity and its areas were vital for wildlife and served as critical water filtration systems. Water Fowls and marshhens were the special features of the area besides birds and insects of various kinds and colours.

Natural Swimming Pools:

The water from the springs combined with the stream from Sham Baba mountains and added to its water to make natural swimming pools on its way down until it met Swat River at the lower end. The stream was lined up with trees and grass patches around it that made picnic spots at various points. The lively swimming pools received children in wild excitement, as they flocked to the resort, jumped into the mud of marshes from nearby trees.

They played there until exhaustion and then gathered at the swimming pools, plummeted in and out in its water. The weary peasants also joined them after hard labour in paddy fields. The elderly ones mostly took a bath in the shallow swimming pools at springs. They drank from its crystal clear water out of the palms of their hands, and breathed deeply in gratitude to acknowledge the ultimate creator for this special gift. 

The wetland offered a variety of stuff to the dwellers and aquatic lives. It provided food/fruits and shelter to them. The locals caught fishes in the stream and collected various kinds of fruits and wood. They also came for hunting and enjoyed picnics at the weekends. 

Unraveling the Decline of this Ecological Gem of Swat:

This home of springs gradually fell victim to various contaminations due to eco-unfriendly practices, which led to this model ecosystem's unfortunate end. 

Its freshwater was polluted by introduction of wastes. The spot and its upper catchments through the mountains of Sham Baba were cleared from forest cover, which led to the reduction of stream water. Wildlife habitats saw disruption, as the nesting and breeding grounds of the animals wer disturbed. 

Pollution and Inadequate Waste Management:

Pollution and inadequate waste management systems ultimately turned the wetland into a  wasteland in most parts. The water from the stream is now full of toxic chemicals. It has been contaminated with runoff from nearby farms and waste from landfills and streets. 

In some cases, people are dumping plastic or other waste into the stream without realizing its implications on water quality. Besides, the stream has been encroached upon by owners of nearby houses, even closing public pathways through the fields. 

Waste Marble Powder:

What is more taking undue advantage of the water resources, marble factories mushroomed in he area. The waste marble powder (WMP) in large patches directly entered the precious water resources and accumulated in the stream therefrom. 

The unfiltered marble powder, produced as a byproduct in tons and remained undisposed due to the lack of innovative techniques to recycle them, imposed serious threats to the ecosystem, physical, chemical and biological components of the environment, bringing an unfortunate end to the natural swimming pools and the fishes and other aquatic lives.

Massive extinctions:

Gone are the days a gesture of happiness covered the length of the faces of children as they dipped into the sweet water of the swimming pools. The wild lovers heaved a sigh of relief from the tenacious grip of life when they tended to unwind themselves by submerging into the depth of nature. 

They drank from the rejuvenated sounds and sights and became one with nature. Remnant of mega flora and fauna were shoved violently towards extinction.