UPPER DIR: The scenic valley of Kumrat here is receiving a large number of tourists from different parts of the country even at the start of summer season.

Many families from other districts have also made Kumrat valley their temporary abode to spend Ramazan in a cold and pleasant weather. Tourists from Lahore, Sialkot, Rawalpindi, Karachi, Multan, Peshawar, Dera Ismail Khan, Bannu and other areas had come to enjoy the natural beauty of the valley.

Arsalan Bhatti, a resident of Lahore, said that his friends had visited Kumrat before, but it was his first visit to the valley. He said that he found the valley more beautiful than what he had heard about it.

Mohammad Hamdan, a tourist from Karachi, said that he had visited various tourist places in the country, but found Kumrat valley more beautiful than them. “I wonder why the tourism department has not properly introduced the valley to the tourists,” he said.

Taimur Afridi, a resident of Peshawar, said that he couldn’t explain the beauty of Kumrat valley in words, adding that he had never seen such green meadows and forest cover along with clean river water. He said that the people and tourists should visit Kumrat to enjoy natural beauty.

However, some tourists complained about shortage of basic facilities like hotels to stay, dilapidated road, unavailability of mobile phone service, etc.

They said that without such facilities it would be hard for the tourists to spend time here with a peace of mind.

They said that the tourism department and provincial government had done nothing to promote tourism in the area. However, some local people and promoters from other areas had installed small huts and tents to welcome and facilitate tourists.

The tourists said that the government should establish hotels and ensure availability of other facilities to promote tourism.

Published in Dawn, May 12th, 2018