PESHAWAR, June 15: Bamburet, the most picturesque valley inhabited by the Kalash people is going to be opened up shortly for the first time to the local and foreign tourists in connection with the Visit Pakistan Year-2007.

Situated some 40 kilometres from Chitral, the valley has green fields, gushing rivers, beautiful lakes and plenty of natural beauty.

NWFP Secretary for Tourism, Culture and Sports Abdul Jalil Khan said the government had finalised ways and means to make the valley accessible to the tourists and provide them adequate facilities during their stay there.

The visitors will find a tourists facilitation centre with much improved motel, carrying beautiful reception lounge and a restaurant offering continental and Pakistani dishes, he said.

The motel facility at Bamburet is a major initiative taken by the Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation besides a five-kanal belt for the TFC, entertainment facilities like swings, food and all such things are part of the programme to promote tourism in remote areas, he said.

He said that the Chitral valley located at an elevation of 1,128 metres is one of the most popular spots amongst mountaineers, anglers, hikers, naturalists and anthropologists.

He said that the 7,705 metres Tirich Mir, the highest peak of the Hindukush Mountains, dominated this 322 kilometres long exotic valley.

The Chitral district has Afghanistan at its north, south and west, a narrow strip of Afghan territory, Wakhan, separates it from Tajikistan, he added.

The tourist season in Chitral is from June-September.

Chitral, the largest district of the North West Frontier Province (NWFP), is one place in the scenic land where people are known for their soft-spoken gesture and hospitality. “There is centuries old tradition and culture and a real attraction for the local and foreign tourists, but it is not properly highlighted to the world and we want to do this,” Khan added.

The Kalash are friendly people and they love music and dancing, particularly on their religious festivals like ‘Joshi Chilimjusht’ to be held in the mid of December.—APP