Kaghan Valley attracts visitors amid monsoon

Tourists revel in scenic splendour around Saiful Malook Lake

KAGHAN VALLEY:

The mesmerising monsoon in Kaghan Valley, with its blend of moderate to erratic rainfall and occasional sunshine burst, has attracted an influx of tourists on the eve of this weakened, enjoying free boating and horse-riding around the fairy-tale allure of Saiful Malook lake.

Amid monsoon magic, the landscape is alive with seasonal flowers, towering chirpine trees, and the soothing sounds of chirping birds besides cascading waterfalls originating from Malaka Parbat's mountains to majestic Saiful Malook, taking tourists into a lap of serenity and tranquil charm.

This picturesque setting provides a serene escape for visitors, who are eager to experience the valley's stunning natural beauty, lakes and birds chanting lush green valleys before the summer season ends in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

Fayaz Khan, a tourist from Nowshera, says before schools reopen in KP next week, "I have come with my family to enjoy what may be the last monsoon majesty at my dream tourist destination of Kaghan.

"The beauty of Naran Valley, our first stop, was incredible. We enjoyed the mouthwatering brown trout on Friday morning, water rafting at Kunhar river and have now reached Kaghan for a night's stay. Tomorrow, we plan to explore the scenic Saiful Malook, Anso and Daudpath lakes before returning back to our hometown on Sunday."

Ali Abbasi, a horse rider, was overjoyed after earning maximum capital in monsoon season, adding he earns Rs3,000 a day as tourists' demands of riding between Kaghan-Saiful Malook lake have increased manifold.

Similarly, Usman Gujar was also over the moon after his boats started roaring business to help tourists to explore Saiful Malook lake. "Since morning, I provided services to about 200 tourists and hoped this weekend would bring me more business due to the influx of tourists."

Asif Ali, a photographer, was delighted to see the quick capital after the increase of tourists at Naran-Kaghan especially at Saiful Malook. "I have been associated with the photography profession for the last 12 years. I am amazed to see tourists influx during this monsoon season at Naran-Kaghan," he said, adding last year he earned Rs2000 per day against Rs3,000 to Rs4,000 this monsoon season."

The famous lake spans 1.06 square miles with a depth of 113 feet and sits at an elevation of 3,224 meters above sea level. Revered as a lake of legends and princes, Saiful Malook is enveloped by the serene mountains of Malika Parbat in upper Kaghan, offering a peaceful retreat to tourists from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Named after the Persian Prince Saiful Malook, the lake attracts both international and local tourists, particularly during the summer when its pleasant climate and cascading waterfalls from nearby glaciers add to its allure.

Dr Naeem Khan, the former Chairman of the Economics Department of the University of Peshawar, says our northern areas especially Hazara and Malakand divisions are most suited for adventure and ecotourism and the government's patronage towards this sector's uplift can bring economic opportunities.

He recalls in 2017 tourism had contributed only $8.8 billion, or 2.9% of GDP, a stark contrast to the $15b, or 5.7% of GDP, in 2019, adding the COVID-19 pandemic and security issues have exacerbated these challenges, with a notable decline in tourism revenue and employment in Pakistan.

Emphasising the importance of embracing digital innovations, such as virtual tours and social media campaigns, Khan advocates for hiring digital professionals and utilising platforms like GPS and artificial intelligence to promote Pakistan's diverse tourism offerings.