CHITRAL, Aug 18 (APP): Known for lush green valleys, snow-clad mountains peak and primitive history, Madaklasht is a beautiful valley awaiting government patronage to build its infrastructure imperative to promote Eco-tourism and adventure sports in the picturesque town of Lower Chitral district.
Surrounded by the Chirpine and Deodar forests of Upper Dir and Chitral district, Madaklasht Valley attracts visitors’ attention after entering Chitral through the famous Lower Top in the Hindukash mountains range.
“Madaklasht carried a unique tourism, archaeological and cultural significance that always remained the 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 tourism department while talking to APP on Friday.
He said the history of Madaklasht was as old as the history of Chitral. In18th century, he said about seven to 12 people migrated to Chitral from the Northern parts of the subcontinent (now Pakistan) for trade and establish their base camps in various places for residence and finally settled in Madaklasht.
“I had visited many tourist sites in the world including Pakistan but Madaklasht’s natural beauty was beyond one’s imagination,” said Manzoorul Haq, former Ambassador of Pakistan told APP.
While staying at Madaklasht, he said that a visitor could easily explore the three famous Kalash valleys including Bumburet (Mumuret), Rumbur and Biriu (Birir) that take tourists in the 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 the world.
Manzoor said the underrated Madaklasht could prove the best winter sports destination due to its trekking and snowfall features.
Manzoor underlined the need for improvement of road infrastructure and showcasing Madaklasht’s mesmerizing natural beauty through digital and social media to bolster the rural economy and promote adventure tourism here.
He said these hidden treasures require to be projected through Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and other digital media tools with small videos to purge the country of prevailing economic challenges.
Omair Khattak, General Manager of Investment, Tourism Authority Govt of KP said that Madaklasht would become a hub of tourism and adventure sports after the 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 the assistance of the World Bank, he said.
The 16 kilometres 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 have 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 the Malakand division.
He said the project would make the entire KP especially Madaklast and Kumrat Valleys a hub of adventure sports and mountains tourism.