PESHAWAR: The number of tourists to the scenic Swat valley adored with natural beauty is ever increasing since peace has been returned to the once militancy-plagued region.

An official at tourism department said around one million people visited the upcountry districts including Swat and many more were still pouring in the area that would help to boost local business activities. He said that even foreign tourists had begum trickling to Swat owing to improved peace and security across the valley.

Zahid Khan, chief of All Swat Hotels Association, however, complained that most visitors didn’t prefer to stay at local restaurants and also brought edibles with them. He said that in the absence of proper infrastructure, visitors caused serious threats to the natural environment.

Govt asked to improve infrastructure, equip picnic spots with facilities

He said that government should take steps to improve basic infrastructure and make an easy access to newly discovered waterfalls, lakes, open green patches, mountain peaks and old sites.

Mr Khan said that unfortunately Swat valley as most popular tourists’ spot, enjoying an international repute, couldn’t get a priority in the list of successive provincial or federal governments, even before the militants had taken over it, to improve its infrastructure, roads, easy access to its splashing waterfalls, charming scenes that were least frequented due to insecure pathways.

He said that such spots should be provided with facilities to boost domestic economy and attract foreign visitors.

Over the last few years, restaurants have sprung up in Malakand district lying at the juncture of Dir and Swat while locals have set up several outlets with traditional foods to attract visitors.

Experts believe that the north of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was yet to be explored. Around 400 restaurants in Kalam, Madyan, Bahrain and Malam Jabba areas of Swat failed to accommodate the enthusiastic visitors. Thousands camped along roadside shades and water streams to enjoy the open air lodging and numerous others turned to Galiyat and other districts including Dir, Kohistan, Chitral, Buner and Shangla.

Most local visitors have discovered picnic spots in and around Swat and also in Upper Dir, Malakand and Chitral.

“Among old picnic sensations, the charming Kumrat valley in Upper Dir district attracted more than 300, 000 visitors till the end of June,” said Rashid Menhas, a local tourist guide.

Sara Batool, a woman along with her family from Karachi, said that she felt excited to visit Kalam but worried at the same how to get back to Mingora city through the bumpy roads. “I am rather confused, weather is pleasant but unsafe roads, uncertain situation around me is quite disturbing. Nothing seems to be in order, in such a hustle and bustle how one can enjoy serenity of nature,” she said.

Shazia Rehan, another visitor from Lahore, who returned from Kumrat valley with her family, said that her initial plan was to visit Sharan and Mahu Dand Lake in Swat but one of her friends informed her that a serious road blockade through Kalam and onwards would land then into unwanted hardships.

“From Malakand Pass onwards, we changed our route to Kumrat valley. Staying there for two days refreshed our souls. One thing which our people don’t care about is spreading pollution and I believe this attitude is quite detrimental to our safe environment,” she regretted.

An official said that Tourism Corporation Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had installed new camping pods in Yakh Tangi Shangla, Swat. The site, he said, could accommodate around 40 to 50 tourists at a time along with a provision of camping area for tents. He claimed that camping pods were equipped with basic utilities including security, electricity, kitchen and play area for children.

He said that although the season was out yet next year, the tourists would find a significant change. He said that new tourist spots would be discovered to create opportunities for investment and jobs.

Published in Dawn, October 11th, 2018