A close encounter with nature

Published July 11, 2013
Cloudy mountainous landscape
Cloudy mountainous landscape

As the summer heat becomes unbearable, the desire to go to hill stations and summer resorts intensifies. And this is also the time to enjoy nature and beat the heat. People belonging to different walks of life desire to head towards the northern part of the country, comprising mountains with moderate climate. When kids have summer breaks from schools, parents are often busy in jobs and it can become difficult to manage time. The lucky ones are taken for trips outside their city or towns, while others find interesting places to go to near their homes.

Deciding a place becomes hard when different options are put forth by different members of the family. Whatever the outcome, hill stations are indeed the most desired places to visit. The northern parts of the country are like the crown jewels of Pakistan. The natural beauty of these places is comparable to any mountainous locations abroad. Places such as Murree, Galayat, Kaghan, Naran, Deosai, Skardu, Gilgit, Hunza, Swat, Kalam, etc. where the meandering road through the mountains and flowing stream have a spellbinding effect on all.

Such places also have their own culture, social setup, dense coniferous forest cover, amazing landscape and peculiar fauna. Sudden rains turn the weather cooler and everyone dons their woollies to warm up even in peak summer months. Nature lovers and photographers have a great time exploring and taking in all the many shades of this beautiful region. Fruit-laden branches of trees and a treasure of herbal and medicinal plants make the forests in this region a treasure ground for us. There are many tracks through the hills and forests for those interested in tracking and hiking, and these tracks are ideal places to experience the call of birds as it echoes through the forest or watch butterflies fluttering here and there. On the ground the sluggish snail can be seen crawling on the forest floor and you can also spy a few monkeys jumping from one tree branch to another. No doubt, such close encounters with nature have a very refreshing and recharging effect on people, especially on city dwellers who only know how to deal with street cats and dogs.

Opinion

Editorial

Enrolment drive
Updated 10 May, 2024

Enrolment drive

The authorities should implement targeted interventions to bring out-of-school children, especially girls, into the educational system.
Gwadar outrage
10 May, 2024

Gwadar outrage

JUST two days after the president, while on a visit to Balochistan, discussed the need for a political dialogue to...
Save the witness
10 May, 2024

Save the witness

THE old affliction of failed enforcement has rendered another law lifeless. Enacted over a decade ago, the Sindh...
May 9 fallout
Updated 09 May, 2024

May 9 fallout

It is important that this chapter be closed satisfactorily so that the nation can move forward.
A fresh approach?
09 May, 2024

A fresh approach?

SUCCESSIVE governments have tried to address the problems of Balochistan — particularly the province’s ...
Visa fraud
09 May, 2024

Visa fraud

THE FIA has a new task at hand: cracking down on fraudulent work visas. This was prompted by the discovery of a...