January 12, 2007	Friday	Zilhaj 21, 1427

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CHITRAL, Jan 11: The Kalash people have complained against the ‘indecent’ behaviour of local tourists who, according to them, have been a source of disturbance in their routine lives.

“They (local tourists) trespass on our privacy and interrupt us while we perform our rituals,” said Gabbu Khan, an elder of the non-believer Kalash clan.

However, the inhabitants of the Kalash valley in Chitral have no complaints against foreign tourists who, they say, always behave decently.

“Most of the tourists behave as if they come to the valley leaving behind all their values,” said Gabbu Khan, an elder of the non-believer Kalash clan, whose origin is disputed.

He said the presence of ‘outsiders’ became all the more unbearable during festivals when the people of the valley could not take part in their ceremonious occasions properly.

“Due to the unbridled interruption of tourists, our festivals have lost charm for us,” he said, adding: “It’s nothing but an interruption in our daily lives.”

The Kalash girls are particularly disturbed by the ‘improper’ behaviour of tourists.

"Almost every visitor to the valley wishes to capture us on film," said Nazee, a young Kalash girl, adding that they were embarrassed to go out alone during the peak tourism season.

"They stare at us as if we are creatures from some other planet," she said. "Hardly anybody misses a chance of teasing girls here,” she deplored.

In order to keep these ‘joy-seekers’ within the limits of decency, there was a dire need to devise a code of ethics, said Mr Khan.

The visitors should be educated about local customs and culture, he said.