In connection with the Punjab government’s efforts to promote sustainable tourism practices, the district administration of Attock said it has taken various initiatives to attract visitors and drive economic growth.

These initiatives included leveraging unique natural treasures, treasure trove of unexplored natural beauty, rich cultural heritage and publishing ancient history for promotion of eco-tourism.

The district administration restored Sumbal Pani Bungalow in Kala Chitta National Forest originally constructed in 1923 by British forestry department, set up Pakistan Point on Bhetot Road in the Kala Chitta Mountain.

Deputy Commissioner Rao Atif Raza while briefing newsmen on Sunday said the Punjab government had implemented policies and initiatives to promote sustainable eco-tourism practices and protect the province’s natural heritage. He said this multi-pronged approach aimed to attract a significant increase in tourist arrivals, generating revenue and creating employment opportunities for the locals of the respective areas.

Responding to a question, he said the district government took various steps for promotion of ecotourism as a way to achieve sustainable growth of domestic tourism.

“This initiative includes reducing waste, promoting eco-friendly accommodations, and supporting local communities in benefiting from tourism”, he added.

He said that with the support of the forest department, the district administration had restored the British-era Sumbal Pani Bungalow to its original Victorian architecture and opened it for tourists and visitors.

He added that a tourist point had also been established in Kala Chitta Reserve Forest to provide tourists with captivating natural wonders especially awe-inspiring landscapes, diverse flora and fauna, and immerse serene beauty of the forest.

Mr Raza said to promote eco-tourism the district administration had also established fishing and rest points along with River Indus at three strategic locations - Makhad Sharif, Khushalgarh and Rakhwan. He Makhad Sharif was located the border town between northern Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa where Soan River merges into the Indus.

Deputy Director Information Department Shahzad Niaz Khokhar said that according to Attock Gazetteer this town’s purpose was to be a crossing point for trade caravans moving across the Indus River to and from India toward Central Asia. He said local legend says that people of Makhad Sharif converted to Islam during Mahmood Ghaznavi’s 1008 AD expedition.

The assistant commissioner of Jand town Ashfaq Rasool said that these fishing points were open for public with tourist facilities. He said no reservation was required no fee was charged for fishing and utilisation of the facilities.

Arshad Javaid, Project Director Attock Gymkhana, added that a state of the art gymkhana over 37 kanals in Victorian style was near completion in Attock to provide better recreational facilities to natives of the area. He added that food, boarding as well as indoor and outdoor sports and recreational facilities will be provided to people.

Additional deputy commissioner general Anil Saeed said the district administration had planned to organise an Indus festival in the summer to promote tourism in the district leveraging its natural treasures and cultural heritage. He said the festival would help attract domestic tourists and emerging a potential destination on the tourism map of the country.

Published in Dawn, January 13th, 2025