By Sabir Hussain Illegal placer gold mining along the scenic Indus River in the area of Nizampur, District Nowshera, has escalated to alarming levels, posing a dual threat to national assets and the delicate biodiversity of the region. Despite the presence of local authorities, these activities persist due to the influence of a powerful mafia operating with impunity. The illicit mining activities, spearheaded by the well-connected and influential mafia, involve the deployment of an extensive fleet of more than 1,200 heavy machines along the riverbanks. This machinery is causing irreparable dam…