Splash from heaven: Lamchar waterfall, a lesser-known gift of nature

Located 55 kilometres from Upper Dir, a river takes a 30-foot plunge to form waterfall

MALAKAND: “Look deep into nature and you’ll find the purpose of life,” goes a saying. Malakand Division is indeed one of those places where nature’s beauty is at its peak.

Home to some of the most beautiful lakes in Pakistan, with high mountains surrounding its lush green fields, locals have termed some places in Malakand Division as ‘heaven on earth.’ Lamchar waterfall in Upper Dir is one such attraction.

The waterfall is located 35 kilometres from Darora, Dir-Chitral Road and is about 8,000 feet above sea level. The route to this heavenly place is an unpaved road, because of which the journey takes a couple of hours.

The waterfall starts when a local river takes a steep 30-foot plunge to a small water body below, and then continues its journey onwards.

It is truly mesmerising to see the water fall from such a height and leaves one rooted to the spot in admiration of nature’s wild beauty.

The waterfall, about 20 feet wide, is constantly spraying visitors and the greenery around it. Locals have set up mini cabins where they serve food to tourists and provide them with a place to relax.

However, the waterfall doesn’t receive a lot of tourists, mainly because of its inaccessibility. The roads that lead up to Lamchar Waterfall are unpaved, which is a major discouraging factor for anyone wishing to visit it. Instead, many tourists, upon reaching Upper Dir, make their way towards the neighbouring Chitral district.

“It is a beautiful spot. They just need to fix the roads so that more people can come,” Afzal Khan, who was visiting the area with 10 of his friends, told The Express Tribune. This place is no less than paradise, he added.

Nadir Khan, a local who runs one of the food cabins, said he had spent his entire life here and is proud of its beauty.

“People come to see the waterfall and relax. The district administration needs to make hotels for tourists to come and spend their summers here,” he added, saying Lamchar Waterfall is secure.

The provincial government needs to promote and develop the tourism industry in the region so that more people are able to experience this gorgeous place. The main focus should be on repairing the roads.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 16^th, 2015.