MINGORA: Tourists and nature lovers from across the country have thronged the scenic Malam Jabba after the first snowfall of winter this year.

After a heavy snowfall in the mountainous region of Swat, tourists have been flocking to Malam Jabba, Marghuzar, Miandam and other hill stations. Those who are fond of snow and snow-related sports have come in multitude to the over 8,000 feet high scenic resort of Malam Jabba where some were playing with snowballs while others enjoyed sliding down on small ascents using tubes.

“It is unbelievable to visit and see unending beautiful scenes wearing a white sheet of snow. The snow is everywhere,” said Khadim Ali, a tourist from Islamabad who came to enjoy snow in Malam Jabba. He praised the local people and said that they were hospitable and cooperative.

Praise peace and tranquility in Swat

“I always loved to see people snow tubing in videos, but doing it practically is a real fun. We are having great time to come here and give message to everyone in the country to come and enjoy it,” Taimoor Ahmad, a tourist from Lahore, told Dawn. It is also a source of income for many local people.

The tourists said that Swat was very peaceful and a must visit place in winter for those who loved snow and snow-related games.

Among hundreds of local people some give tyre chains on rent as vehicles without chains on the tyres could not move and it is very dangerous to drive on snowy roads without it. The local people rent such chains for Rs300 to Rs500 per vehicle, which facilitate the tourists to reach to the top of Malam Jabba.

“When we reached the spot from where snow-covered area begins, our car slipped so we rented chains from a local boy for Rs500 who installed it and accompanied us to the top,” said Inamullah Khan, a tourist from Mardan.

Bakht Zada, who provides tyre chains on rent, told Dawn that there were more than 50 people in the area who had tyre chains business. “For about three months we have the season to rent and install tyre chains and earn between Rs500 and Rs1,000 daily, but it depends on the number of tourists,” he told Dawn, adding that many tourists visited Malam Jabba on Fridays and Sundays.

Published in Dawn, November 8th, 2015

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