CHITRAL, Jul 14 (APP): Madaklasht, the most scenic valley of Chitral has awaited the KP government’s attention to build its infrastructure imperative for promotion of adventure and mountain tourism besides bolstering rural economy.
Famous for lush green valleys, snow-clad mountains peaks, waterfalls and primitive history, Madaklasht is s beautiful tourist destination under the lap of Terichmir mountain which awaits the KP government patronage to build its infrastructure, roads and other facilities essential to bolster adventure, mountain and ecotourism in the picturesque Lower Chitral.
Surrounded by Chirpine and Deodar forest of Upper Dir and Chitral district, Madaklasht attracts visitors’ attention after entering to Chitral through famous Lowari tunnel in the Hindukash mountains range.
“Madaklasht carried a unique tourism, archeological and cultural significance that always remained centre of attraction for tourists due to its nearby three famous historic valleys and famous Kalash culture,” said Bakhtzada Khan, senior research officer of archaeology and museum department.
“The history of Madaklasht is as old as the history of Chitral. In the 18th century, about seven to 12 families had migrated to Chitral from Wakhan or Badakhshan for trade and establish their base camp in various places for residence and finally settled in Madakasht,” he said.
While staying at Madaklasht, a visitor could easily explore the three famous Kalasha valleys including Bumburate (Mumuret), Rumbur and Biriu (Birir) that take tourists in lap of serenity.
Kalash culture where its members select life partners in festivals during celebrations was a unique identity of Chitral that draw tourists from across the country and world.
Kalasha Museum and Madaklasht carried a unique tourism, archeological and cultural value that always remained centre of attraction for tourists and archeology lovers due to its nearby three famous historic valleys and famous Kalash culture.
The foundation of Kalasha Museum commonly Known as Bumborate Museum was laid in 2001 and completed in 2005.
About 1300 objects exhibited in the museum which are of Ethnological interest from the Kalasha tradition and from the traditions of the wider Hindu Kush area.
The building was composed of two floors; the ground floor has the Ethnological collection of the Kalasha culture and the wider Hindukush area and the other floor houses a school of Kalasha with a library of books written on the valley, and also a hall for professional training of local crafts.
Bakhtzada said the underrated Madaklasht and Kalash valleys could prove the best summer sports resorts due to its trekking, rains and snowfall features.
I had visited many tourists sites in the world including Pakistan but Madaklasht natural beauty was beyond ones’ imagination,” said Manzoorul Haq, former ambassador of Pakistan while talking to APP.
While staying at Madaklasht, he said that a visitor could easily explore the three famous Kalasha valleys including Bumburate (Mumuret), Rumbur and Biriu (Birir) that take tourists in lap of serenity before return back in a day long trip.
He said Kalash culture was a unique identity of Chitral that draw tourists from across the country and world.
Manzoor said the underrated Madaklasht could prove the best adventure sports destination for tourists.
Underlined the need of improvement of roads infrastructure, he said we need to showcase Madaklasht’s mesmerizing natural beauty through digital and social media to bolster rural economy and promote adventure tourism here.
These hidden treasures requires to be projected through Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and other digital media tools with small videos to attract foreign tourists besides enhancing the province soft image.
The KP Government has announced to construct a cable car between Madaklasht and Kumrat of Dir Upper.
The proposed Kumrat-Madaklasht cable car would be constructed with assistance of the World Bank.
The 16 kilometers long cable car would have 5,280 meters height with facilities of a base station at Kumrat, intermediate stops stations and car parking plazas for 500 vehicles.
The base station hotels, mosques, hydro plants, walking tracks and final station at Madaklasht would be built for facilitation of tourists.
The development of inftastructure and construction of access roads besides additional aspects such as waste management would also be evaluated and roads to be ensured.
The cable car project on completion would attract an estimated 1.2 million domestic and international tourists annually to Malakand division.
The project would make the entire KP especially Madaklasht and Kumrat Valleys as hub of adventure sports and mountains tourism.