Introduction

The North West Frontier Province (NWFP) is generously blessed with an exceptionally beautiful landscape and resplendent sights full of awesome natural beauty. Its superb geography makes it far more distinct in many ways. Moreover, what adds to its grand treasure of tourist attraction are lush green valleys, elegant plains, snow covered towering mountains, surging springs, wonderful waterfalls, serene lakes and enchanting rivers. All these make this region a romantic abode of extra ordinary natural beauty arousing the tourists’ sense of aesthetic and bringing forth a world of unparalleled visual beauty. As for eco-tourism, the province is luckily far rich in having some of pockets for breeding certain rare and precious species of animals and birds. Moreover, the region possesses a rich and distinct cultural heritage with immense potential for development of its tourism sector.

Laying on the crossroad of Central Asia, with close proximity to Xinjiang region of China, the province kept witnessing the onslaught of invaders, the waves of fortune seekers, immigrants and businessmen through the ages. Having left their original homes, some of them settled here while others moved towards plains across the mighty river Indus. Such a tide of time made Peshawar valley and its surrounding areas a mix of various civilizations casting their deep shadows on local inhabitants. The racial mix up and close interaction among different races gave birth to a rich cultural heritage. The glorious marks of this heritage exist in the shape of Gandhara archaeological sites. The fine traces of once this flourishing civilization are evident at historical sites of Gor Ghattree Peshawar, Takht-Bhai (Mardan), Seri Behlol (Mardan), Shabaz Gari (Mardan), Nimo Gram Buddhist Stupa (Swat). The memories of that fine era revive while witnessing Gandhara art collections beautifully displayed at museums at Swat, Chakdara, (Dir Lower) and Peshawar.

Realizing the significance of the province’s vast tourism potential and its better projection and gradual development, the government of NWFP established Sarhad Tourism Corporation (STC) as a public limited company way back in 1991. The core idea behind the STC establishment was aimed at developing a proper system for exploiting the vast potential of the province for boosting its tourism sector. Its other key task is based on preparing feasible plans for promoting sustainable development of the tourism industry in the province. The STC’s other main objectives are:
• Promotion and development of the tourism industry of NWFP by involving both the private and public sectors;
• Protection and preservation of the culture, traditions, history, heritage, environment and wild life in the target areas;
• Development of the socio-economic conditions of the people and areas having tourism potential;
• Gradual and systematic identification and development of all the existing and potential areas for attracting both domestic and foreign tourists;
• Conversion of the STC into a self-financing organization.

PHYSICAL FEATURES OF THE PROVINCE

The NWFP is split into three different zones with their unique topography. Adorned by charming valleys, the northern part of the province has 5 rivers scrambling north to south interalia Chitral, Dir, Swat, Indus and Kaghan. Being on the northern edge of the monsoon zone, these parts are evergreen and partially wooded in their southern sections. The mid part remained the center of the ancient civilizations. The capital city, Peshawar witnessed glorious periods of civilizations including Buddhist, Hindu Shahi, Sikh, Islamic and British culture. The city still bears marks of these civilizations. The southern part of the province is arid consisting of low rocky mountains and wide plains. It is below the monsoon belt.

CHITRAL

Famous for its scenic grandeur, Chitral is an ancient and main mountainous town in northern Pakistan situated at a distance of 322 km from Peshawar. It is home to some of majestic mountains, green valleys, glaciers and snow-capped peaks including 7706 m Tirichmir, the highest in the Hindukush mountain range. Chitral district has two sub divisions, Chitral and Mastuj. Lower Chitral has a near Alpine like climate, upper Chitral has arid lands though blessed with glaciers. Good trekking and trout fishing facilities are available along overflowing rivers and streams adding to the natural harm of this serene valley. Harsh winters (Dec. April) make it inaccessible by land when Shandur and Lowari Passes are closed due to heavy snowfall. During the summer (except in inclement weather) vehicular traffic resumes connecting Chitral with Rawalpindi and Peshawar. For travel between Chitral and Gilgit via thrilling Shandur Pass, special jeeps are available on rent at both the towns. PIA Fokker service (Depending on weather conditions) operates between Peshawar and Chitral. Located on the banks of a swiftly flowing river, Chitral is a fascinating place worth seeing. Its old Fort overlooking the main city adds to its historical grandeur with a beautiful palace inside and famous mosque outside. Foreign visitors are required to register with the police on their arrival. A permit from the District Administration is required before moving to the valleys of the Kafir Kalash having their own distinct culture and ways of life.

KALASH VALLEYS

Kalash valleys are inhabited by world-famed anient Kalash tribe, still retaining its original religion and distinct customs. Kalash community is settled in three separate valleys, Birir, Bumburet and Rambur. The tribe regularly celebrates annual festivals during which men and women perform colorful dances and rejoice their favorite events with lot of fanfare. The Chilamjusht, Phool, Chawas and Utchal are the main festivals.

KALASH FESTIVALS

Joshi or Chilimjusht: This festival is held from 14th to 15th May to mark spring when girls pick the first flowers of the season. Traditional dancing, visiting each other, exchanging flowers, milk and milk products are its features.

Utchal: This colorful event is celebrated in mid-July to mark the harvest of wheat and barley. The two- day celebrations feature dances, singing and hosting feasts.

Chowas: Chowas is a festival celebrated in winter from 18th to 21st December to welcome the New Year. Its significant feature is feasting and merriment that continue until the elders sitting on a hill top and watching the movement of the sun then declare the advent of the New Year. Later after coming down the hills, they light their torches, perform dances and sacrifice goats at the altar.

Nauroze: It falls on 21th March and is celebrated in Itkuh, Mastuj, and Turikho Mulkho by Ismails, the faithful followers of His Highness Prince Karim Agha Khan. Great enthusiasm and warmth is shown by Ismailis on the occasion.

Jashn-e-Chitral: Being main festival it is celebrated with great pomp and show. The date for this event is fixed every year. It has an unusual attraction for tourists who especially take a trip to Chitral to enjoy the event. The festivities include equestrian sports, wrestling, polo competitions, tug-of-war, colourful folk dances and music by the Kalash community. An exhibition of local handicrafts is part of this event.

GARAM CHASHMA

Garam Chashma (Hot Springs), named after a village where these springs exist, is about 45 km to the north-west of Chitral. These natural hot springs full of sulphur are famous for their healing affects on skin ailments. Great value is attached to them for recovery from headache, pains and gout. The village can be reached by jeep in one and half an hour. Its large market has precious stones and other items brought here since old times by caravans from Afghanistan’s Badakhshan province. Traditional “Chitrali Patti”, a locally prepared typical woolen cloth, is usually found on display in outside markets.

CHITRAL MUSEUM

Depicting old history of Chitral, the Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology is sited at Polo Ground, Chitral. It offers glimpses of ancient heritage and has collection of historical articles mainly the Kalash Valley antiquity. The Parwak excavation in 2003 has provided the first ever archaeological material of Aryan Graves dating back to 1800 to 600 B.C. The museum’s formal inauguration took place on 28th November 2003. The proposal for such an historical site came from Mr. Shakil Durrani, then serving as Deputy Commissioner of Chitral.

SHANDUR PASS

Lying midway between Chitral and Gilgit, the mighty Shandur Pass is about 12250ft above sea level. In winter the Pass is blanketed by heavy snow, which melts during summer making it a lushgreen place. Shandur Lake with its serene waters is on the top of the Pass that can be reached by jeep from either side.

Famous Shandur Polo Tournament is the most popular festival during summer. It is regularly held on July (7-9) each year, between Chitral and Gilgit teams at this highest polo ground. Outdoor entertainment and cultural events being part of the sports gala attract tourists. It also provides an opportunity to the locals to display items of their cottage industry. Food and beverages stalls are set up.

The Sarhad Tourism Corporation (STC) regularly participates in this annual event and is the co-organizer of this festival in collaboration with district administration Chitral since 1995. This year, in 2008 the STC also establishing its tentage village and Tourism Information Center at Shandur for facilitating the tourists.