7 ecotourism spots for Balochistan identified

Rs250 million spent on establishment of five beach parks on coastal belt

ISLAMABAD:

Balochistan government is working to set up seven ecotourism resorts with allied facilities at a cost of Rs1,069 million in its coastal areas to cater to the needs of local and foreign tourists eager to explore coastal beauty.

Nine resting spots at the coastal belt would be established at Kund Malir, Ormara, Gwadar and Jiwani with an aim to develop its coastal area to attract more tourists.

The Balochistan government has spent Rs250 million on the establishment of five beach parks at the coastal belt, in a bid to unlock the potential of tourism sector of the province, an official of Balochistan government told APP on Monday.

For promotion of coastal tourism, he said, the government was constructing hotels, restaurants and ensuring the provision of other facilities at the shores of Balochistan.

The provincial government has formulated Balochistan Coastal Development Authority to regulate the commercial activities and ensure modern facilities in the area.

The government has also posted 215 lifeguards to facilitate the tourists and provide protection to them, he added.

Serious efforts are underway to frame the master plan of the coastal belt as the province possessed plethora of tourist attractions along with 750kms long coastal belt.

Read More: Hazara shuts doors on tourists

The provincial government was taking concrete measures to promote domestic tourism that could contribute huge revenue to the national exchequer.

"The province has several coastal areas like Gwadar, Jiwani, Pasni, besides, Balochistan has numerous historical, religious, environmental and beautiful sites which can be developed into mega tourist sites", the official added.

On the other hand, Balochistan Governor Syed Zahoor Ahmed Agha said on Monday that the largest province of the country possesses natural beauty and historical sites.

In his message on the World Tourism Day, he said the tourism sector can stabilize the economy of the country if the tourist destinations are restored and renovated.

The governor said, the nations settled in Balochistan are the guardians of ancient civilization, adding that the new generation should be introduced to its great antiquities and relics.

“By promoting tourism, we could draw the attention of tourists to the beauty of Balochistan and especially to archeology,” he said.

He also urged the intellectuals and writers to highlight the true image of their nation in the global village based on their cultural identity and philanthropy.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 28^th, 2021.