BATTAGRAM: Tourists from parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab have thronged the scenic valleys of Battagram district for the first time this summer.

Despite lack of facilities and infrastructure, people put their lives at risk while passing through uneven paths with pointed stones and travelled by pick-up vans and horses to reach the picturesque Galai Maidan area of Allai tehsil.

A tourist who spent three days in Galai Maidan said that the area was more beautiful than Kumrat, Kalam, Kaghan, Naran and other scenic spots, but needed government’s attention to develop it into a tourist destination.

Many tourists said that they learned about the beauty and location Galai Maidan through social media and used Google map to approach it.

Prof Mohsin Ali Raza of Punjab University, who came from Lahore along with his family, told this scribe that they witnessed lush green areas and high mountain covered with pine trees, which compelled them to stay and spend some time amid the natural beauty.

Shahid Iqbal, a tourist from Lahore, said that despite many hurdles to access the area they forgot about their tiredness after reaching the beautiful valleys.

The lush green mountains contain cold freshwater streams, waterfalls and pine forest while the hiking trails into the forest makes it more attractive.

Mohammad Shafiq, a tourist from Islamabad, said that they would urge the government to explore the beauty of the area and make it accessible for the tourist by developing it as a tourist destination.

Khan Mohammad, a visitor from Peshawar, praised the people of the area for their hospitality and friendly nature.

The local people have established an eatery in a tent to facilitate the tourists by offering them two pieces of bread and different curries at Rs100 per head.

They are charging Rs2,000 for a single tent at the high altitude tourist area.

Published in Dawn, June 24th, 2019