All my life, I have lived along the River Swat, a river that is part of the identity of the Swat valley. This river, known as Suvastu in ancient history, is not just a water body but an emblem of our heritage, culture, and existence. I am a researcher, author, and activist from the indigenous Torwali community, the pioneering inhabitants of this valley with a rich history echoing the echoes of the 4000-year-old Gandhara and Darada civilization.
However, we now stand at a critical juncture where the River Swat is being threatened by the Madyan Hydropower Project, a 207-megawatt electric project funded by the World Bank. This planned development which involves diverting our beloved river into a 12-kilometer-long tunnel would bypass the Bahrain town and adjacent tourist areas. This scheme not only endangers our river, but is a potential threat to the economic and ecological stability of our region.

The Madyan Hydropower Project designed by PEDO and funded by the World Bank in the upper reaches of the Swat valleys is a disaster for the economy, environment, ecology and wellbeing of the Torwali people on the grounds as:

1.     The Bahrain town in Swat is a cherished tourist destination. It is named Bahrain in Arabic because of the confluence of two rivers—River Swat and River Daral. River Daral was destroyed by PEDO by diverting it into a tunnel upstream leaving the town of Bahrain in dirty climate[1]. Now the climate and environment of the town of Bahrain solely depends upon the River Swat and which is to be diverted 07 kilometers upstream beyond Bahrain into a tunnel.
2. There are more than 40 big hotels in Bahrain for the tourists. These hotels are sources of income for hundreds of young people. Besides these big hotels there are many smaller hotels along with more than 30 good enough restaurants for the tourists. The bridge seen in the figure 1 above is one of the most visited bridges in North Pakistan for the river Swat below presents a charming scene for the visitors. The town has hundreds of shops for the tourists as well. In case of the Madyan Hydropower Project this river will be no more flowing this way here and eventually the livelihood of thousands of people will be damaged as the local economy here depends on tourism which is due to the River Swat. 
3. There are other smaller touristic areas in the project area from Madyan to Kedam which are Satal, Grilagan, Torwal, Kedam. These places have hotels, restaurants and shops all dependent on the River Swat for their attraction. In the aftermath of the project these places will be destroyed.
4. A large number of investors have invested in the hotel industry by buying plots for hotels and resorts in the area. Their investment is also in danger because of the Madyan Hydropower Project.
5. The six villages under which the 12-kilometer tunnel will be built by the project are dependent on spring water for drinking as well as for irrigation. The tunnel will harm these springs by either squeezing them or diverting their courses. These villages are: Ghorijo, Ponkia, Darolai, Ayeen, Mankar and Kalagy. The people of Darolai and Ayeen have also protected their forests for the last three decades and because of this venture the forests in Darolai village have increased more than 50 percent. This is the best example of community owned forest protection in Pakistan. Besides the forests the fields in Darolai and other villages are laden with fruit trees. The connecting tunnels not only will destroy the environment of these villages but also the forests and fruit trees of the fields. 
6. The indigenous people Torwali and other people of Swat have great respect for the River Swat for it has a long history as well as a sacredness. The name Swat is derived from the name of this river which was Suvastu in Sanskrit. People do not tolerate seeing their river invisible from their eyes and into tunnels. 

As mentioned above and given the other adverse impacts on the community of the Madyan Hydropower Project I would request the Inspection Team of the World Bank to review the project in detail and refuse to fund such a disastrous project. 
 The project diverting the Daral river is known as Daral Khwar Hydropower Project by PEDO which was initially to be funded by the Asian Development Bank but when the people of Bahrain wrote to ADB and consequently it sent an independent mission to the area. After the report of the mission the ADB declined to fund the project but the then provincial government constructed the project out of its own resources.
The Torwali people, who have thrived off this river, whose history is woven into the ebbs and flows of the Swat, face irrevocable damage. We fear for our economy, environment, and our cultural identity, if the river - our lifeline, is rerouted for these projects.
Therefore, we implore the World Bank, involved stakeholders, and interested international bodies, to reconsider the implications of this project on our community and the environment. We request your assistance in preserving the natural course of the River Swat and putting a stop to its planned diversion.
It is not just a campaign to save a river, but a strive to protect our culture, our community, our home. Please join us in this petition to save the River Swat and keep our heritage intact.