Good, clean fun: GDA launches projects to bolster tourism in Galiyat

Plans to add parks, walking track in area

ABBOTABAD: The Galiyat Development Authority (GDA) launched a number of uplift projects including reconstruction of tracks, renovation of parks and cleanliness drives to attract tourists to the scenic Galiyat region.

This was stated in a press release issued by GDA, quoting its director Raza Ali Habib. He issued this on Sunday at the concluding ceremony of a week-long cleanliness drive. Habib said besides placing trashcans in the area, a waste treatment plant will also be installed to keep Galiyat clean.

Most of the development projects will be completed by the end of September, the press release quoted him as saying. He said five parks in Nathiagali, Ayubia, Mushakpuri, Khanispur and other areas would be constructed along with three tracks and five rest houses. He claimed the parks would have facilities such as stone benches, trashcans, washrooms and swings, while streetlights will be installed from Dongagali to Nathiagali. He said chairlifts in Ayubia had been out of order since 1983, but they are now being repaired to allow tourists to enjoy their visit to the scenic region.

The GDA signed an agreements with the World Wildlife Federation (WWF) to launch development projects. The tax at the Changlagali Toll Plaza would be increased from Rs30 to Rs60. The toll tax would pay for the bags given to motorists to dispose of garbage. He said Rs30 will be refunded when the bags are returned.

Tourism Corporation Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (TCKP) General Manager Sajjad Hameed, officials from different government departments, civil society members, journalists, local residents and students attended the ceremony.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 31st, 2015.