MANSEHRA: Tourists have complained about the ‘dangerous and rough’ road leading to famous Saiful Muluk lake in the scenic Kaghan valley.

With the temperatures fast rising, the region is pulling large crowds of people from across the country these days.

Seeing Saiful Muluk lake, which is situated at an elevation of 3,224 meters (10,578 feet) above the sea level, is must for tourists but according to them, 10km road to the lake (Naran-Saiful Muluk Road) is so dangerous and rough that its users run the risk of facing accident.

“I enjoyed a lot when a storyteller narrated romance of Prince Saif with a fairly at this place (Saiful Muluk lake). No doubt this is a place where such imaginary romantic drama would have taken place,” said Javed Asghar, a tourist from Karachi.

He said traveling from Naran to Saiful Muluk by jeep was a highly risky and difficult and that he personally seen people riding in jeeps much terrified.

“After seeing the shabby road to the paradise on earth, I strongly feel the government is not sincere about promoting tourism,” he said.

The tourists, who make it to the lake after frightening journey, feel really excited.

“I am speechless to see such a natural beauty. Though snow melted last week after covering lake for eight months, we can still see thick snow around the place. Seeing all this is an unforgettable movement for me and my family accompanying me,” said Mohammad Shaoib, another tourist.

Sahibzada Jawad Alfaizi, the managing director of Saibaan Development Organisation, said small shops and garbage spread by tourists around the lake spoiled natural beauty and environment of the area.

He said the district administration had imposed Section 144 of CRPC to ban presence of horses and mules around the lake and use of ferry in the lake.

He, however, said horses and mules continued to pollute environment around the lake.

Alfaizi said SDO, which also worked for pollution-free society, held a walk in Naran and cleanliness campaign at the lake and collected garbage scattered there.

“A lot more needs to be done to protect nature here,” he said.

Published in Dawn, June 11th, 2015

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