Kaghan valley, which is called a paradise on earth by many people, is gradually losing attraction for tourists owing to lack of infrastructure as authorities seem less bothered to preserve its natural beauty.

The picturesque valley, situated some 110 kilometres north-east of Mansehra, has beautiful waterfall, glaciers, snow capped mountains, meadows and natural lakes. The tourists from across the country even and abroad come to enjoy the natural beauty of Shogran, Naran, Babusar Top, Saiul Muluk Lake, Tear Lake and Sirri Payye.

The valley is stretched over an area of 155 kilometres from the low altitude of 2,134 feet to its highest peak at Babusar Pass which is 13,690 feet from sea level.

The tourists, who mostly rush to the scenic valley from mid June to mid August, stay in Naran and then visit other tourist resorts including Shogran, Babusar Top, Saiul Muluk Lake, Tear Lake and Sirri Payye.

The tourists, who come to Naran Town, are usually fleeced by the hoteliers. In peak season, the rent of a normal room, which is hardly Rs3,000 per night, reaches to Rs10,000 to Rs15,000.

“I have no words for the natural beauty of this valley which has beautiful glaciers and a romantic place famous for the love story of an imaginary prince and a fairy but one cannot afford to spend such a huge amount to visit this heaven on earth,” said Hakim Khan Irfan, a tourist from Karachi.

He said that one couldn’t move outside Naran until he had a jeep as all link roads leading to natural attractions in the valley were highly dangerous and could only be travelled through a jeep, which was expensive.

Mr Irfan said that it seemed that the government and tourism development corporation were least interested in developing the valley to attract tourists.

Authorities seem less interested to build infrastructure and promote tourism in Kaghan valley

The previous provincial government of ANP had finalised a project to install cable car/ chairlift from Naran to Saiful Muluk Lake but the project now seems in doldrums as the incumbent government of PTI has not taken it seriously.

The tented villages, established in Naran, have brought some relief for those tourists, who cannot afford to live in hotels but at the same time these have affected the beauty of the place.

Matiullah, the president of Hoteliers Association, said that the government didn’t seem interested in developing tourism in the valley as Naran, the commercial hub of valley, was still without electricity and hoteliers were compelled to use generators and small units installed at streams and the Kunhar River.

“Prime Minister  Mian Nawaz Sharif had announced to initiate a micro hydropower project in Naran last year but even the paperwork of the project couldn’t be started as yet,” he said.

Mr Matiullah said that the chairlift or cable car from Naran to Saiful Muluk Lake would bring a major change in the valley. He said that their association was also working to keep a check on the rent of rooms in hotels. “I am optimistic that now people will enjoy traditional hospitality here within affordable money,” he added.

Another attraction in Kaghan valley is Shogran, which is considered as base camp for Sirri Payye. This scenic place is located at a distance of 34 kilometres from Balakot, the tehsil headquarters and gateway to valley. Shogran, which is surrounded by high mountains from all sides, is known for its lush green meadows and thick forests.

“Although tourists come here (to Shogran) yet in a small number,” said Javed Asghar. He said that such greenery and pleasant weather was not common even in Kaghan valley but owing to government’s apathy people came there in jeeps, putting their lives in danger.

Mr Asghar said that government should build a road from Kawai to Sirri Payye.

“Once that raid is built, it will boost tourism here and tourists not from within the country but also from abroad would come here in large number to enjoy its natural beauty,” he said.

Mr Asghar said that Shogran was also a nice place for those people, who were interested in more leisurely day trips, hiking and ‘nature study’ walks.

The valley is also famous for its lakes. There are more than a dozen big and small lakes in the valley but Saiful Muluk Lake, Dudipatsar Lake and Lulusar Lake are famous among them.

Saiful Muluk Lake is the place where according to tales a prince Saif fell in love with a fairy and they used to meet there in night when moon would reflect in the water of water.

The Saiful Muluk Lake is situated at 10,578 feet height from the sea level. However, the road leading to this romantic place in very dangerous. The provincial government has sanctioned funds for blacktopping of that road from Naran to Saiful Mulul Lake but the work couldn’t be completed.

Although district administration has recently imposed ban on boating in the lake and construction of hotels and cabins, yet it bore no results. The construction of cabins and garbage found all around the land has plagued its natural beauty.

The Dudipatsar Lake is situated at a mountain peak and government has not even built a single road there.

The Lulusar Lake is situated 48 kilometres away from Naran at an altitude of 10,910 feet. Lalusar Lake is the main source of water for the Kunhar River.

Kaghan valley is also ideal for thrilling jeep ride from Naran to Babusar Pass and Nori Top.

The glaciers, which were once the main feature of Kaghan valley, are now rapidly diminishing owing to growing population in Naran. The centuries-old glaciers at the entrance of Naran and another at Saiful Muluk Lake Road are still big attraction for tourists coming here to enjoy the nature.

“You can enjoy the pleasant weather and natural beauty in other tourist resorts in the country but what the enjoyment I feel amid these glaciers is matchless,” said Mr Asghar.

He said that government should take appropriate measures to slow down melting of glaciers.

Published in Dawn, July 26th, 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play