Chitral Development Vision 2020: Single focus Chitral River
Chitral Area Development Vision 2020 has been visualized to achieve dignified, sustainable and inclusive development for the people of the valley.
The single focus of the vision is “Chitral River Control and Management”
and it is released on the occasion of the formation of PTI’s new government in KPK.
We welcome the PTI government in KPK and pray for it success in building the province as a model province in Pakistan. In the context of sustainable development of Chitral, I urge the PTI government to focus on one single agenda: “Reclamation of land from the Chitral River and revival of the wasted riverbeds (showtars) into cultivable land.” This can be done through a “five-year master plan for control of river and revival and rehabilitation of Showtars”.
There are about 20 Showtars in Chitral that can double the cultivable land in the valley if revived and rehabilitated.
Transforming the ferocious Chitral River from an enemy into the most valuable asset of the Chitrali people.
A Google earth view of the dimensions of the ferocity and destruction of the river shows the following destruction zones along the Chitral River:
2 kilometers destruction zone at Balach
4 kilometers’ destruction zone from Chitral before reaching Ayune
6 kilometers’ destruction zone Ayone/Gahirait
4 kilometers destruction zone at Jutilasht/Drosh
4 kilometers’ destruction zone at Bumbagh
6 kilometers destruction zone at Junakoch
3 kilometers destruction zone at Booni/Awi
3 kilometers destruction zone at Gasoti/Moreder
6 kilometers destruction zone Torkhow 1
6 kilometers destruction zone Torkhow 2
6 kilometers destruction zone Torkhow 3
2 kilometers destruction zone Torkhow 4
6 kilometers destruction zone Sarghuz and Mastuj
14 kilometers destruction zone Chuinj, Chapali and Kargeen
6 kilometers destruction zone Khuz, Niwaishiru and Brep
9 kilometers destruction zone Yarkhun valley 1
4 kilometers destruction zone Yarkhun valley 2
4 kilometers destruction zone Yarkhun valley 3
4 kilometers destruction zone Yarkhun valley 4
Slope of the Laspur Valley
The benefits of the Chitral River control and management.
The recovery of the land will more than double the cultivable land of the valley besides protecting life, land and property.
Enhance production of crops, fruits, vegetables and dairy,
Generate electricity,
Promote tourism,
Enhance positive impact on environment and set an example for indigenous resource development.
How to control and manage the Chitral River?
Step 1. Look at the size of destruction in different zones, appreciate and recognize this as a high impact initiative with tremendous positive implications for achieving sustainable and inclusive development in the Chitral valley.
Step 2. Negotiate with the local communities and community organizations to understand the potential benefits and create consensus and social contracts.
How to control and manage the Chitral River?
Step 3. In collaboration with local communities, prepare a five-year master plan.
Step 4. Negotiate with provincial and federal governments and donors to focus on the implementation of the initiative.
Step 5. Phase out implementation of the master plan.
Step 6. Implement and follow-up.
Key elements of the funding structure of Chitral river management
Funding structure Chitral river management needs a partnership of local community, investors, government and donors.
Funding structure Chitral river management, Chitral River Management Company (CRMC) as a trustee.
KPK provincial assembly to legislate and transfer titles of affected land to the trustee – the CRMC.
CRMC to categorize land category: 1. Top priority people who have lost land to the river. Category 2. People who have historical ownership claim on the land but have not lost any cultivable land or property. Category 3: Commercial investors.
Funding structure. Chitral river management 5. The CRMC as trustee to issue transferable land ownership bonds (LOBs) in three categories.
Category 1. Top priority people who have lost land to the river (20% of the commercial price).
Category 2. People who have historical ownership claim on the land but have not lost any cultivable land or property (50% of the commercial price.
Category 3. Commercial investors.
The KPK government to facilitate through the banking system for financing facilities for all the three categories of the LoB buyers.
Donors, the PKP and federal governments to compensate for the Category – 1, 80% price and Category – 2, 50%buyers as compared to the commercial price.
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