Madaklasht: an unexplored beautiful valley of Chitral awaits Govt patronage to bolster tourism
CHITRAL (APP): Known for lush green valleys, snow-clade mountains peaks and primitive history, Madaklast is beautiful valley awaiting government patronage to build its infrastructure imperative to promote ecotourism and adventure sports in the picturesque town of Lower Chitral district.
Surrounded by Chirpine and Deodar forest of Upper Dir and Chitral district, Madaklast valley attract visitors’ attention after entering to Chitral through famous Lower Top in the Hindukash mountains range.
“Madaklast 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 ar archaeology and tourism department while talking to APP on Friday.
He said the history of Madaklast was as old as the history of Chtral. In18th century, he said about seven to 12 people migrated to Chitral from Northern parts of subcontinent (now Pakistan) for trade and establish their base camps in various places for residence and finally settled in Madakasht.
“I had visited many tourists sites in the world including Pakistan but Madaklast natural beauty was beyond ones’ imagination,” said Manzoorul Haq, former Ambassador of Pakistan while talking to APP.
While staying at Madaklast, he said that a visitor could easily explore the three famous Kalasha valleys including Bumburet (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 winter sports destinations due to its trekking and snowfall features.
Manzoor underlined the need of improvement of roads infrastructure and showcasing Madaklasht’s mesmerizing natural beauty through digital and social media to bolster rural economy and promote adventure tourism here.
He said these hidden treasures requires to be projected through Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and other digital media tools with small videos to take the country’s out of existing economic challenges.
Omair Khattak, General Manager Investment, Tourism Authority Govt of KP said that Madaklasht would become a hub of tourism and adventure sports after construction of a cable car between it and Kumrat of Dir Upper.
The proposed Kumrat-Madaklasht cable car would be constructed with an estimated cost of USD 200 million with assistance of the World Bank, he said.
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,” he said, adding base station hotels, mosques, hydro plants, walking tracks and final station at Madaklasht would be built for facilitation of tourists.
He said feasibility studies of the mega project has been started and would be completed in eight years.
The development of infrastructure 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.
He said the project would make the entire KP especially Madaklast and Kumrat Valleys as hub of adventure sports and mountains tourism.
