The road that leads to mountains

Zartasha Virk

When the heat waves strike the plains, one is usually tempted to seek refuge in the cooler, greener regions of the north. Our destination this year was the beautiful valley of Naran. Lush green mountains and the beautiful Kunhar River accompany the travellers throughout the journey.

Yet this trip is far from comfortable due to the dilapidated condition of the roads. It leaves one wondering where the caretakers of this natural beauty are, as the roads to one of the country's most popular tourist destinations are in such a poor state.

Despite the scenic views, the entire area faces a dearth of all kinds of modern facilities. Loadshedding is so common that it shall be more appropriate to say that electricity is a rare sight. The provision of natural gas is no wonder a dream. Cleanliness is the most neglected aspect with neither the local authorities nor visitors paying any heed to keep the area clean. Even by the beautiful riversides and lakes, one can see plastic bags and wrappers thrown away very casually.

One of the highlights of the entire journey was travelling to Lake Saiful Malook on the local jeeps since the private vehicles might not endure such a journey. The track that leads to this wonderous beauty shouldn't be called a “road” by any means since it is a rough pathway of big and smaller stones on which one jumps up and down for around forty-five minutes. Those with fragile joints (and minds) must abstain from embarking upon this adventure. Upon reaching the destination, one is mesmerized by the beauty of the lake, the greenish water sliding gently at the feet of towering mountains that encircle it gracefully. This experience is truly awesome and worthwhile.

The point to ponder here is why such a beautiful tourist hub in Pakistan is so utterly neglected by the government authorities. Reconstructing the roads should be the first and foremost step in promoting tourism within the country. Developing proper infrastructure, paying attention to smaller details like having more tourist-friendly resorts, and encouraging local and international franchises of restaurants that offer quality food and accommodation are also dire needs. In this modern era, having no mobile and internet service is quite a shock.

Furthermore, there should be a focus on general maintenance so that people feel safe and comfortable while visiting this place. In the bustling city market of Naran, there were reports of mobile theft and other criminal acts during rush hours. If the relevant government authorities carry out careful planning and development in these areas, no wonder millions of revenues can be generated by attracting not just local visitors but international tourists as well.

The writer is an educationist, column writer and poet. zartashavirk@gmail.com