CHITRAL: The Chitral Association for Mountain Areas Tourism (CAMAT) with the financial assistance of USAID has launched a project for preservation of the centuries-old Khow (Chitrali) culture.

Addressing the launching ceremony of the project, the association’s Dr Inayatullah Faizi said that the project was aimed at promoting tourism and attracting eco-tourists to the region to revive the local norms, which had long been shunned.

He said that Khow was a conglomeration of Indian, Persian and Central Asian cultures, adding that the project would cover 11 union councils, involving 26 local organisations to start eight different festivals, promoting local handicrafts, cuisine and sports. He said that competitions of cooking and folk sports would be held, while training in preparing local handicrafts would be imparted to people.

Speaking at the function, deputy commissioner Aminul Haq said that the culture of Chitral, if properly advertised, had the potential to attract tourists to the area. He asked the project management to chalk out plan to promote the Chitrali culture outside the district.

Mr Haq said that Chitral comprised over 30 valleys with each having distinct culture, adding that more than twelve dialects were spoken in the district.

Published in Dawn, September 10th, 2014