Sohail Ahmed
Booni, March 13, 2026: Sports enthusiasts have appealed to the district administration of Upper Chitral to take immediate steps to protect the Kaghlasht festival ground from premature damage.
According to locals, it has been observed over the past several years that a large number of young people begin visiting the Kaghlasht ground nearly a month before the official start of the festival in April or May. Many of them set up tents and organize cricket, football and other recreational activities on the site.
In addition, motorcycles and other vehicles are often driven across the lush green meadow, causing serious damage to the grass and natural beauty of the area.
By the time the festival officially begins, the ground is often left without its natural greenery, affecting both the beauty and the overall spirit of the event.
The applicants to the deputy commissioner pointed out that there are several other locations in Kaghlasht where young people can play sports and engage in recreational activities. They urged the district administration to declare the main festival venue a protected area before the event and impose a ban on motorcycle riding, cricket, and football at the site until the festival begins.
They added that such measures would help preserve the natural beauty of the venue and allow visitors to fully enjoy the festival in its original scenic setting.