The Spat valley of Upper Kohistan district, whose natural beauty and exotic flora and fauna were highlighted in the UK’s House of Commons in 2017, is an unexplored attraction.

Sitting at 13,800 feet above sea level over 100 kilometers, this paradise on earth as called by residents is largely unknown to tourists.

It has beautiful meadows, serene lakes, exotic plants and wildlife, and reserves of precious gemstones and minerals.

The residents insist the mountain spring water has healing and restorative properties.

Mohammad Khabab of Kohistan said he had visited the valley thrice to find a previous stone, peridot, and was mesmerised of its natural beauty, serene lakes and snowcapped mountains.

He said mining gemstones in the remotest and toughest area of Kohistan district was tantamount to risking life and dozens had died in a bid to extract precious stones.

The residents totalling around 50,000 come to plains, including Dasu and Jalkot areas, in the winter season to prevent tough weather.

Khabab said the valley remained under a quilt of heavy snow most of the year with local tribes and miners coming down to plains to escape harsh weather.

The valley produces peas, potatoes and other vegetables but nonexistence of roads and other facilities prevent their transportation to the market.

Before assuming his office, Prime Minister Imran Khan toured the valley twice, admired its meadows, snow-covered mountains and peaceful lakes, and promised to turn the area into a national park after coming to power.

“This valley is paradise on earth. The widespread forests are its ornaments. Instead of destroying them, you should take care of them to attract nature lovers, whose arrival promises you good earnings,” he had told residents during a visit.

Former PML-N MPA from Upper Kohistan district Abdul Sattar Khan explored the valley, introduced it nationally and internationally, and accompanied a high-level team of the Tourism Corporation of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during its maiden visit in 2012.

In 2013, the then chief minister, Ameer Haider Khan Hoti, sanctioned Rs5 million for the construction of the Soach-Spat Valley Road at his request.

The former lawmaker said the funds’ approval was the first step by any government functionary for introducing the wonderful place to the world.

He said the valley witnessed few visitors in the summer season and if the government developed tourism infrastructure, the number could go up significantly.

Mr Abdul Sattar regretted that the residents of Spat valley didn’t have basic amenities due to the neglect of the successive governments.

He said the government should develop the valley to promote tourism and thus, developing residents.

The former MPA said instead of declaring the valley a national park, the premier should ensure its development as a tourism-friendly park.

“If this valley is given the national park’s status, the people living here for many centuries will be displaced, a thing unacceptable to them,” he said.

Mr Abdul Sattar said the valley’s three lakes, including Moieen, Shamees and Upper Moieen, alone could attract tourists from within the country and abroad if the government ensured easy access to them by building roads and putting up hotels.

“I’ve the distinction to inform the House of Commons of the United Kingdom about the exotic flora and fauna of this valley. The British government had invited me there in 2017, where I briefed the participants about this beautiful valley, showed them my documentary about it, and highlighted the tourism potential of Pakistan as well as Spat valley,” he said.

“Would you believe that edelweiss, which is the national flower of Switzerland and is a symbol of love and respect, grows in this valley,” he said.

The former lawmaker said edelweiss used in medicines for abdominal problems was one of the rare species of flowers and it was not found anywhere else in the country.

He said the entire country didn’t have any lake like Moieen, where an island existed amid it was commonly known as 10th wonder of the world, while the Shamees lake spread over three kilometers was also an attraction for nature lovers.

The residents said the valley had large reserves of minerals and gemstones in high and dangerous mountains that should be exploited to improve economy and develop infrastructure.

“I visited the valley twice and witnessed treasures of paridote and minerals everywhere. The valley can’t benefit from them due to weak government writ and lack of infrastructure,” mine owner Tahir Khattak said.

He said the valley had large reserves of paridote, chromites, lithium, olivine and other precious stones, and minerals but the provincial government hadn’t issued licences to mine leaseholders unlike governments of other provinces.

“Paridote can fetch up to Rs25 million per kg but unfortunately, its reserves have fallen into wrong hands that are destroying them by using outdated exploration methods,” he said.

Mr Khattak said around 27,000 tribesmen excavated gemstones and minerals in every winter season but the government didn’t get its due share in the exercise.

“The government has failed to establish its writ there, so it is not issuing licences to mine leaseholders,” he said.

The mine owner said the government had once planned to bring that valley into its fold under the mining law but the local tribes put up a strong resistance causing the plans to fail.

“The reserves of paridote are found in this valley only, so the government should take tangible steps for its preservation,” he said.

According to tribal customs, all tribes settled in Upper Kohistan district own the entire valley, so they don’t allow the government to occupy their land and treasures.

Resident Mohammad Atif said 10 tribes settled in Upper Kohistan for centuries were the owner of the valley, so if the government was sincere about establishing its writ there, it should take them into confidence through jirga.

Published in Dawn, January 12th, 2020