Chitral having rich potential for tourism, need attention to boost.

Report: G.H.Farooqi

CHITRAL 19 Dec 2006: Chitral which is the largest district of Frontier province by land having rich potential for boosting tourism. The district consisting on some 14500 square kilometers and inside distance from south to North is more than 300 kilometers. Chitral having different valleys of green and rich forest like Madaglasht, Garumchashma, Golen, Mastuj etc. The world unique nation Kalash living here having a different culture, different religion and other manners of their daily life. Shandur is the highest polo ground of the world. The kalash valleys of Bumborat, Rumbor and Birir are the most attractive areas consisting on beautiful sceneries. Chitral having 40 KM long border with Afghanistan at Arundu area only. It also connect with Tajikistan at Broghul area which is only 200 KM from Chitral. There are different languages in the district. Like Persian, kohwar, Sheikhwar, Kalashwar, Arunduwar and so many different languages at Broghul Pak. Tajik border area.

It is worth to mention here that inhabitants of Broghul having totally culture of Tajikistan due to situated near the border of Tajikistan. Some far away areas of borders areas having distance of 500 kilometers from Lawari pass Chitral territory. Lawari pass having the altitude of 10500 feet which is almost covered by snow 12 months of the year and 14 hours of the day is the only land route connecting Chitral to resort of Pakistan. Chitral was an independent state and was merged first of all when Pakistan created. The education ratio is high here but lack of quality education. The world unique cultures of Kalash tribes are very famous and thousands of local and foreign tourists arrived here to glam Kalash valleys which are most beautiful valleys of the district. Kalash `tribes having unique culture, dress, customs, habits, tradition and other manual of daily life of the world. They are celebrating different festivals as suitable to different seasons. Now a day they celebrating Chatar Mast festival in which they slaughter hundred of goats and burning leafs of trees to clean their houses and welcome to New Year as per their doctrine. They celebrate Chelum Josht on the arrival of spring season in which Kalash women wear new cloths and dancing on the beating of drums. They drink local wine and expressed their loves to the opposite gender.

Pakistan has declared 2007 as year of tourism and there is rich potential at Chitral in this regard. And Chitral is very rich tourism potential district of the country. This is the most peaceful land of the world as there is no a single case of any attack over a local or foreigner tourists. The people of Chitral are famous for their hospitality. There are different kinds seasonal and off season fruits and vegetable. The Kalash people preparing local wine from grapes which is available for foreigners and non Muslim tourists at Bumborat, Rumboor and Birir valleys. The Yarkhun valley is famous for golden apple. Similarly Gobor is queen of snow covered peaks of mountains. Garamchishma is house of trout fishes which is also available at Kalash valleys rest houses. Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) have established their motels and restaurants at Bumborate of Kalash valleys, Booni, Chitral and like to be open at other parts of the district to facilitate tourists.

Broghul valley, Golain valley, Kurumborogh Lake and Yarkhun lusht are very famous for their natural beauty and attraction. Tourists travel to Yarkhun in a 4 wheel van and 3 days by horse riding and 2 days by trekking ( journey by feet) they enjoy music of milky water fall, fragrant of different wild roses and innumerable variety of apple and other fruits. Booni and Brep is famous for their sweet and fragrant apple.
The federal government as well as provincial should to arranged different program at Chitral to boost its tourism.