Tourism Promotion in Lower Chitral District

A case study of tourism promotion in Lower chitral

1. CHITRAL (L) PROMOTION OF TOURISM & RELATED ACTIVITIES ! 1

2. District Chitral has very scenic / picturesque attractions (the flora fauna, landscape) ; but there is lack of accessibility (roads) . The accommodation (hotels) for tourists is very poorly managed in tourist destinations except a couple in town area and Amenities (telephone service, banks, and hospitals) available across the district. In particular District Administration Chitral is trying to:- Improve existing road network in Chitral, building new access roads to tourist destinations to attract domestic and foreign tourists to serene valleys. Expand range of tourist attractions / destinations and focus on the longer term opportunities for to discover / develop new tourists destinations; Promote indigenous sports, crafts and culture e.g indigenous Kalash people, traditional polo etc. TOURISM CLASSIFICATION: Tourism in Chitral can be Classified as: CULTURAL TOURISM HERITAGE TOURISM NATURE TOURISM ADVENTURE TOURISM INTRODUCTION Proposed tourist spots to be developed: Chitral in particular is blessed with immense tourism potentials. The following sites have been identified to carry out tourism interventions: Kalash Valleys Birmoghlasht Golain Birmogh Madaklasht 2

3. WHAT TO SEE | CHITRAL. Chitral in particular is blessed with immense tourism potentials: (1) Chitral Fort (2) Polo Ground (3) Birmogh Lasht (4) Chitral Gol National Park (5) Kalash Valley (6) Madaklasht Touristic spots Overall…

4. 4 1 SHAHI FORT The  Chitral Fort  is a fortification in Chitral town, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa , Pakistan. The fort is situated on the banks of the Chitral River. The fort has a commanding position on the river and is believed to have been built in 1774 during the reign of Mohtaram Shah Katur II and restored in 1911 by  His Highness Sir Shuja ul-Mulk . SHAHI FORT

5. 5 2 POLOGROUND At the south end of town is the Chitral polo ground. One of Pakistan's best, practice matches are held here every few days from mid-March to early November, and real matches on weekends, always in the afternoon.  Pologround

6. 6 Birmoghlasht Barmoghlasht is a beautiful and charming resort. It is situated 14.5 kilometers (9 miles) from Chitral. BIRMOGH LASHT 3

7. 7 CGNP 4 CHITRAL GOL NATIONAL PARK is one of the National Parks of Pakistan. It is located in Chitral District in Khyber- Pakhtunkhwa  province of Pakistan beside the Chitral River, at a distance of two hours drive from Chitral town. The park is also known as  Chitral National Park .

8. 8 5 KALASHA VALLEYS The 3000 strong Kalasha live in the valleys of Birir, Bumburet and Rambur in the south. Bumburet, the largest and the most picturesque valley of the Kalasha is 40 km from Chitral and is connected by a jeepable road. KALASH VALLEYS

9. 9 6 MADAKLASHT Madaklasht The most attractive valley of Madaklasht not only having rich natural resources and forest wealth,  but also having a unique culture and 350 years old history at an altitude of 8500 feet from sea level.

10. Tourism Festivals | CHITRAL (LOWER). Chitral in particular is blessed with immense tourism potentials, these are the tourism Festivals which are included in Annual Tourism Calendar : (1) Kalasha Festivals Chilim Jush Festival (Spring Festival) Uchahl Festival (Summer Festival) Choumas Festival (Winter Festival) Phool Festival (2) Madaklasht Snow Sports Festival Festivals

11. 11 1 KALASHA VALLEYS The 3000 strong Kalasha live in the valleys of Birir, Bumburet and Rambur in the south. Bumburet, the largest and the most picturesque valley of the Kalasha is 40 km from Chitral and is connected by a jeepable road. KALASH FESTIVALS

12. 12 (a) 13 th May – 16 th May (each year) The four-day festival is held in the middle of May. During the festival, men and women meet with the aim of finding a spouse. This festival gives an excellent opportunity to celebrate the beginning of summer and to give a message of peace to the world. During this festival, the people of Kalash pray for the safety of their fields and animals. The people of Kalash adore the music and dance to the beat of drums.  Chilam Joshi Festival (Kalash spring festival)

13. 13 (b) 2th Aug –22 nd Aug (each year) The “Uchal Festival” is celebrated to enable the shepherds to successfully return the livestock and harvest. Organized an interesting party for customers. Several family members from each village/host family along the way wear a homemade necklace to show respect and blessings. This necklace is made of apricots, grapes, dried walnuts, etc. Shepherds are popular among the tribe. They thanked God for safety and protection in the valley. They also thank God for the dairy products they collected during their stay. Uchal Festival (Kalash Summer festival)

14. 14 (c) 15 th Dec –22 nd Dec (each year) In December, they held a winter festival called Cho-moss. Chomos Festival (Kalash Winter Festival)

15. 15 (d) 22 nd Sept (each year) The festival marks the reaping of grapes & walnuts harvests. Phool festival is one of the four festivals celebrated every year by the community. Phool Festival (Kalash Festival)

16. 16 (2) MADAKLASHT Madaklasht Snow Sports Festival (6 – 11 Feb.) Madaklasht is one of the most suitable sites for winter sports due to the heavy winter snowfall and perfect landscape, with a variety of slopes for both amateurs and professionals. A team comprising of technical delegates of Winter Sports Federation of Pakistan (including a Homologation Inspector form the International Ski Federation) have also visited Madaklasht and ascertained the suitability of the terrain and climate for Skiing and other winter sports.

17. Lack of regular PIA flights; & Improper marketing; 17 Lawari Tunnel Approach Road Issue. (Chitral Side) Condition of internal roads; Lack of human resource development; NOC issues to foreign and national tourists. Restrictions. CHALLENGES / ISSUES IN promotion of tourism industry. 1 2 3 4 5

18. Reforming the policy formulation and implementation mechanisms. 18 Tourism statistics and data collection and Human resource development. Communication and transport & efficient marketing and product development Ensuring tourism friendly environment Proper utilization of parks & protected areas Development of ‘Ecotourism’ Addressing environmental issues RECOMMENDATIONS for promotion of tourism. 1 2 3 4 5

19. Cleanliness and Polythene Bag free Campaign 19 Policing & Traffic Management Plans for touristic valleys after introduction of Tourism Policing. Availability of 1122 facility in touristic valleys Availability of health & Mobile Facilities with Proper staffing in the touristic valleys Installation Road Signage in touristic valleys of Chitral. INTERVENTIONS for promotion of tourism. 1 2 3 4 5

20. Thank You © 2023 Rashid Ul Ghafoor (District Admin Chitral Lower) - 20