KAGHAN: Tourists and visitors thronged the hilly areas and lakes in northern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during five days of Eidul Fitr to enjoy natural beauty amid hide and seek between sun and clouds in the snow-clad mountains of the valleys.
Arrived in a carry van with hands clapping on the national song Dil Dil Pakistan at Saiful Malook and Anso lakes in Upper Kaghan valley in Manshera district on last Sunday, the family of Prof Ehtisham Khan from Peshawar was over the moon after visiting the famous oval shape lakes located in the lap of the snow-clad mountains of Malaka Parbat, enjoying the delectable cuisines of KP under the open sky amid laughter all around.
Impressed by the crystal greenish-blue water of the oval-shaped Saiful Malook Lake, the tourists with a big smile on their faces went around the natural wonder after enjoying lunch under the open sky amid cold breeze and pleasant weather.
“We first explored the historic Saiful Malook Lake through boats that doubled my family’s joy,” said Prof Ehtisham, who visited the area along with his sisters and mother. He said that Saiful Malook’s gripping natural beauty with its crystal clean-water emanating from the lofty glaciers of Malaka Parbat on its northeast was amazing and beyond one’s imagination.
A large number of people visit hilly areas to enjoy Eid holidays
He said that he had visited many lakes in Pakistan and abroad but the fairytales of prince Saiful Malook and princes Badri Jamala associated with the Saiful Malook Lake were unique and impressive.
The Malook-Jamala fairytale leaves mesmerising effects on the minds of tourists and forces them to visit it again and again. Terming it his ideal tourist destination, he said that it was his third trip to Saiful Malook Lake and first with his family that doubled their joy of Eidul Fitr.
Prof Ehtisham said that families could easily visit it to spend some time in its relaxed environment before exploring the nearby Anso and Dudipatsar lakes in Upper Kaghan through jeeps and horse riding.
Mian Mohammad Bakhash, a noted historian and poet, in his book ‘Fairytale of Saiful Malook’ related the tale of prince Saiful Malook and fairy princes Badriul Jamala during his visit to the lake.
Prof Ehtisham’s mother said that Saiful Malook was the identity of Pakistan. She urged visitors to ensure its cleanliness and put all waste in dustbins placed by the government in its vicinity.
“I am disappointed to see garbage and polythene bags thrown by visitors near Saiful Malook and Anso lakes despite presence of dustbins,” she said. She said that it was the collective responsibility of Kaghan Development Authority (KDA), wildlife department and district administration to maintain its cleanliness and make it pollution-free.
The tear-shaped Anso Lake is considered the highest lake of Himalaya region with 4,126 meter height of the sea level, Payala Lake with 2,895 meters elevation, Pyala Lake with 3,410 meters height, Siri Lake with 2,590 meters altitude, Dudipatsar Lake with 3,800 meters elevation and Dudibach Star Lake in Kaghan valley, which captivate adventurers and sports enthusiasts.
She said that that in other countries vehicles were parked away from lakes to maintain their ecology and protect them from pollution. She stressed the need for construction of parking areas away from Saiful Malook, Mahodand and other national lakes to protect them from environmental and water pollution.
Mohammad Ali Syed, the general manager of KP Culture and Tourism Authority, said that Pakistan was home to many natural and manmade lakes and reservoirs including South Asia’s largest Manchar Lake that spread over 260 square kilometres in Sindh besides the country’s biggest Paristan Lake in Skardu and Shimshal Lake in Hunza, Gilgit-Baltistan with 4,272 meters height.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is blessed with around 100 small and big natural and manmade lakes including the worlds 33rd highest natural lake of Karambar with 4,272 meters height of above sea level and 3.9 kilometres length that could be accessed through Broghil valley in Chitral.
Swat is going to become the tourism capital of the country due to its seven unique features including the snow-clad mountain peaks, trout fish, river, snowfall, motorway, waterfalls and lakes.
Swat’s Mahodand Lake with 2,900 meters height has unique features including brown and rainbow trout and camping besides Spin Khwar and Kundal lakes that draw many tourists during Eid days.
Ali Syed said that small and medium lakes in Mahodand would be interconnected after construction of small arch bridges that would enhance their natural outlook. He said that Mahudhand Lake would be converted into a model eco-tourism resort with provision of enhanced facilities to visitors.
Published in Dawn, April 26th, 2023