MINGORA: Commissioner of Malakand division Riaz Khan Mehsud inaugurated the Green Valley Adventure Park in Malam Jabba valley here.

The event attracted tourists from across the country in large numbers, who declared the park a welcome facility for adventure seekers.

The commissioner told the opening ceremony that the adventure park would help promote tourism in the region.

“It is a perfect place for tourists, especially families, to have fun in the lush green Malam Jabba valley, which will offer both winter and summer sports activities,” he said.

Mr Mehsud said the promotion of tourism was the top priority of the government, so private investors were encouraged to put money in the tourism sector.

He said work on the road to Malam Jabba was almost complete, while the construction of one to Kalam would be completed in Dec.

The adventure park offers sports and adventure activities including croquet, mini golf, jumping castle, trampoline, ring pot game, smash the mug, archery, summer tubbing, boating, ball throwing on target, ice hockey, curling and grass skiing.

The tourists said the Green Valley had green pastures and adventure activities to their delight.

“This is really a new and refreshing adventure in Malam Jabba for tourists, particularly for women and children. Here the weather is a bit cold but the dazzling scenery around the park has made everything so beautiful. The best thing about Malam Jabba is its pristine natural beauty,” said Pashto singer Bakhtiar Khattak.

He called for the protection of the area’s beauty and said there should be no constructions for the promotion of tourism.

Samar Ali of Lahore said the addition of the adventure park to the area had doubled the enjoyment of tourists.

“The Green Valley adventure club has many things of entrainment for both children and adults,” she said adding that she liked mini golf and grass skiing the most.

The tourists said the adventure park was also the best place for camping, where they enjoyed the open sky on grassland.

They said Swat was peaceful and had natural beauty to their delight.

“I invite people from within the country and abroad to visit Swat, especially Malam Jabba, to see this new and unique attraction,” said Dr Mahnoor of Lahore who was accompanied by family.

Singers Bakhtiar Khattak, Laila Khan and Humayun Khan also performed on the occasion receiving applause from participants.

Published in Dawn, October 27th, 2019