The biggest recreational picnic resort of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, once the most beautiful and frequented Kund National Park, was destroyed in the flashfloods of July 2010. It is lying in ruin and could not be rehabilitated owing to apathy of the officials concerned despite elapse of seven years.

According to details, the devastating floods had washed away a zoo at the park containing one Markhor, 26 bears, around 500 deer, and one lion.

A beautiful wildlife park also being part of Kund Park was completely devastated with its fences broken and plants uprooted. The number of visitors to the scenic park was reduced from thousands per day to a trickling few as the site had been turned into a ruin wearing a deserted look.

The flashfloods had also destroyed jogging tracks, tubewells, water supply lines, swings, park building and cages of animals. A six kilometres link road from GT Road leading to the park was also damaged. It is still in dilapidated condition.

The administration of Kund National Park claimed damage in millions to the recreational facility. Set up in 1990 and spread over 840 kanals, Kund National Park is located at the juncture of the Kabul and Indus rivers. It was given by provincial tourism corporation on a lease for 33 years to a private firm FMG JV in March 2007.

Rahmzada Pehlawan, a diehard fan of natural beauty and picnic resorts, while sharing his views pointed out that the province was a rich treasure trove of natural resorts and picnic sites but the authorities concerned never bothered to take care of them and never took steps to exploit their splendour.

He said that Kund National Park required full-fledged overhauling. “I think because of the involvement of more than one government departments, no one seems to come to its rescue,” he added.

Mr Pehlawan said that provincial government should take the lead to help rehabilitate the once beautiful park at the bank of Kabul River.

Rehman Said, the manager of Kund National Park, told this scribe that the biggest picnic resort of the province faced several problems.

He said that soon after the devastation, his firm started rehabilitation work on the park and invested around Rs80 million for rebuilding the administration block, a furnished cafeteria, retaining structure along the Kabul River, jogging tracks, tubewells, water supply lines, children water slides, public toilets, entry/exit gates, pirate boat, fencing, racing cars, mini-cars, giant wheel, landscaping and development lawns.

“We still face some major issues. We need rehabilitation of wildlife park spreading over 450 kanals, which used to be the best ever attraction for the visitors especially for children and families. The incumbent provincial government started repair work on a link road from GT Road to the park a year ago but left half way due to unknown reasons. Our firm sent a letter to the provincial wildlife department to grant us No Objection Certificate for rehabilitation of the wildlife park and also another letter to planning and development department to allow us to construct a suspension bridge linking GT Road to the park for an easy access of the visitors but we have received no response,” Mr Said regretted.

Sajjad Hameed, the general manager properties of Tourism Corporation Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, said that as per the agreement of lease, the lessee was responsible for any kind of repair work but still their department forwarded request of FMG JV for the financial compensation caused to the Park due to flashfloods in 2010 to the relevant department but it was refused on the ground that financial support could only be granted to the government-run properties.

After its devastation by flood in 2010, Kund National Park wears a deserted look

He said that unfortunately many facilities pledged to be provided by the lessee were still not on the ground.

Regarding NOC for construction of a suspension bridge, he said that NOC could be processed and forwarded to planning and development department after mutual agreement between cable car operator and FMG JV.

He said that if NOC was granted for suspension bridge, then the cable car would be rendered useless. He said that TCKP was trying its best to facilitate such resorts to boost tourism in the militancy-plagued province.

He said that recently his team visited Kund National Park to oversee a ‘water sport’ facility installed there for the visitors. “It will be fully operational soon and visitors will enjoy this wonderful sport,” Mr Hameed promised.

An official of the wildlife department, requesting not to be named, told this scribe that keeping in view the devastation brought by flashfloods in 2010, his department couldn’t take another risk to grant permission to the private firm for keeping animals in a place exposed to the danger of being swept away by floods.

“We believe the place is not safe, so one cannot take the risk to allow precious animals to keep them in a place still vulnerable to flashfloods,” said the official.

Shakeel Jan, an avid tourist, remarked that Kund National Park should be revived and restored to its original condition.

He said that local tourism couldn’t be boosted until concrete measures were taken.

He said that easy access, security and comfortable environment were the three important prerequisites for the improvement and promotion of tourism.

“The location of Kund National Park is very strategic in terms of natural beauty, friendly environment and security. Tourists and visitors will definitely get attracted to its scenic site if its problems are resolved,” he said.

Mr Jan said that a large number of picnic spots lacked many facilities including proper road, transportation and security.

“How can we improve our tourism if our responsible departments take no interest? The Kund National Park is a great national asset and should be revived at any cost,” he added.

Published in Dawn, October 29th, 2017