BATTAGRAM: The residents of Battagram have demanded construction of roads in the picturesque valleys of the district to promote tourism.

They told Dawn that their district was known for its natural beauty, waterfalls, springs, lakes and lush green grounds, animals and birds like partridges, pheasants, turkeys, falcons and peacocks, flowers of different species, and medicinal plants but didn’t have proper roads for access to Chorr, Galley, Chail and Baleeja valleys.

The residents said visitors took two days at minimum to reach Chorr valley mostly using jeeps, horses or donkeys due to the uneven pathway running along deep ravines.

They said the construction of roads in scenic places could help the district attract tourists from within the country and abroad in large numbers.

The residents also demanded the inclusion of hamlets of their district in the proposed national parks.

They complained local hunters and visitors poached birds and animals so many of those species were on the verge of extinction.

The residents said the government could generate massive revenue by developing the district as a proper tourist destination.

They said

The people take the minimum two days to reach Chorr valley they cover some of distance by jeeps on uneven road after there, the people normally take horses and donkeys to reach the valley, pedestrian path is also full of dangerous ravine and pointed stones.

Naimatullah, a local resident, said visitors had to buy edible items from Battagram Bazaar and Allai Bazaar as there was no shop in the valley.

He said visitors used dried fruit for energy while climbing mountains.

Badri Zaman, a local resident, called for the construction of roads saying they will promote tourist activities in the district.

“The government should promote tourism as a major sector of economy,” he said.

He said tourism would create job opportunities and thus, helping fight against terrorism in KP.

Youth councillor Zahidur Rehman said the government’s representatives should visit Battagram’s scenic valleys to learn about the potential of tourism.

He said the development of tourist resorts, construction of hotels and restaurants, the building of roads and the launch of modern transport service could boost tourism in the region and thus, creating thousands of new jobs for unskilled and skilled workers.

Additional secretary (environment) Zariful Mani said when he was the deputy commissioner of Battagram district, he wrote a letter to the federal tourism and provincial wildlife authorities seeking the inclusion of Chorr valley in the proposed national park, but the letter got no response.

He said if his plan was executed, the poor district would generate huge revenue from tourism.

Published in Dawn, August 10th, 2016