1. INTRODUCTION1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 PROJECT BACKGROUND

In 1991, the government of NWFP created Sarhad Tourism Corporation (STC) as a public limited company to promote tourism in the province. This was done in recognition of the enormous potential for economic development through environmental tourism based on the diverse landscape, rich culture and pristine ecological resources of the province. Basically, whatever tourism development had taken place in Pakistan, was mostly through ad-hoc planning of the Tourism Corporations financed by the Government of Pakistan. No planned or integrated efforts were made to systematically and gradually develop the tourism industry in Pakistan. Neither the environment impact nor need or demand assessments were carried out before embarking upon development activities in this sector.

Unfortunately, this unplanned, disorganized and ad-hoc approach resulted in wasting a lot of natural and financial resources. It has also destroyed the ecology and environment of the potential areas. The mushroom like development of infrastructure both by the private and public sectors without keeping the future in view marred the beauty of the areas with tourism potential. The resources were concentrated in a few areas, resulting in over-crowding certain places and totally ignoring other areas, which were left behind under-developed. The standard of tourists facilities and man made attractions were far below the national and international standards, which is limiting tourists traffic.Inadequate security measures in these areas further sailed the

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environment, No concerted and integrated efforts seem to exist to publicize, promote and expose Pakistan's tourism potential to the outside world and that is why Pakistan is called "Asia's best kept secret". Due to the total dependence and heavy burden on the government's financial resources, the Tourism Corporations of Punjab and Sind have become parasites and a liability for their governments. Learning from the experiences of the other Tourism Corporations in Pakistan and the other sister organizations of Siri Lanka and Maldives etc. the Sarhad Tourism Corporation (STC) was established by the government of N.W.F.P with a clear mandate to play its role as a catalyst and help promote the tourism industry through the private sector. It is the government of NWFP's strategy to help the STC to stand on its own feet and become a self sustaining organization. STC was supposed to receive a one time grant from the government to begin its activities but would essentially be self-financing.

It was decided by the G.0. NWFP that STC should have a Regional Master Plan to have a planned and systematic approach towards developing the tourism industry of Hazara. In that, it was decided that STC would hire a team of consultants to prepare a 5-10 years Regional Master Plan for the development of Tourism in Hazara. The Joint Venture of M/S Gulf Consulting Associates, 34-Abdara Road University Town, Peshawar and M/S Universal Development Associates, 3-Asif Plaza Defence Chowk, Lahore Cantt. were awarded this consultancy assignment in April 1996, and this Report has been prepared as a final product in this regard.

1.2 LOCATION

Hazara Division is located between latitude 33-44' N and 35-10' E

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and longitude 72-33' N and 74-6'E (Fig. 1). The division is bounded by Azad Jammu and Kashmir on the eastern side, by Rawalpindi District on the southern side, by the Districts of Swabi and Swat on the western side and by Gilgit Agency on the northern side. After crossing through the Kohistan District of this division the River Indus separates it from the districts of Swat and Mardan. The division is also closely situated to the Islamabad Federal Territory. The division is actually located at cross roads of Punjab, Kashmir, Gilgit and the rest of NWFP. It is located very close to the main G.T. Road stretching from Peshawar to Lahore and is connected to it at Hassan Abdal on G.T. Road through

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Fig.1: Location Map

the Silk Road or Shahrah-e-Resham and also known as Karakuram Highway (KKH) which passes for most of its length through Hazara Division.

1.3 TOPOGRAPHY

The vast plains of Punjab end at Jehlum, which is located at the foot hills of a vast mountain range. The Potohar plateau touches the Hazara Division, from where small mountain ranges start growing into high mountain ranges. Therefore, the Hazara Division is comprised of both vast plain areas surrounded by hills and high mountains with wide valleys. The southern part of the division is relatively flat and the altitude increases as one moves towards north right in the Karakuram Range. The plain of Abbottabad is actually located in between the River Jehlum and River Indus. Other significant rivers of the region are River Kunhar, River Dor and River Siran. There are other numerous channels and streams flowing within the region which actually are tributaries of the big rivers.

These specific topography features make it an interesting area by virtue of its scenic beauty, lofty mountains, green and dense forests and valleys and lakes of immense beauty.

The lower district of Haripur, a comparatively plain area has an average altitude of about 2,500 feet above the mean sea level, whereas Abbottabad district enjoys its towering position because of its high hills. The town of Abbottabad itself is located above 4,120 feet. Further north of Abbottabad district is Mansehra where the beautiful places known as Kaghan, Naran and Lake Saiful Muluk lie. The hills around have high peaks somewhere up to 17,000 feet above the

mean sea level. The beauty of the narrow valley of Kaghan from Balakot to Naran is enhanced by the meandering Kunhar river that flows over hard rocks splashing crystal clear water and traverses southward to ultimately join with the river Jehlum.

1.4 CLIMATE

The climate in the southern district of Haripur is hot in summer that varies with the adjoining districts of Attock and Rawalpindi. In the central plateau the heat of summer is materially less and the winter proportionally severe. The line of perpetual snow is between 14000 and 15000 feet above sea level.

The rainfall varies between 30" (750 mm) in the south to 50" (1250 mm) in the north.

1.5 HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

The origin of the name Hazara is obscure. It has been identified with Abisari, the country of Abisares, the chief of the Indian mountaineers at the time of Alexander's invasion. Hazara-e-Karlugh, or the Karlugh legion is one more interpretation, which was settled in this track by Timur after his invasion of India (Indo-Pakistan sub-continent).

The old name of Hazara was Pukhli Sarkar or Pukhli Walayat. Pukhli was actually the name of the container to carry water and was made of goat skin. The name was perhaps given because of the abundance of water available in the area from its many springs and water channels. The name Pukhli was later changed to Hazara Karlak and during the British regime was known as Hazara only. Pukhli Walayat

covered a vast area extending from Attock to Kaghan in between the River Jehlam and River Indus and consisted of 84 settlements during the ancient times.

Hazara is an ancient land whose history dates back to the Aryan Era some 1500 B.C to 200 B.C. Great Iranian ruler, Cyrus-I and Dara also ruled the area for more than 250 years from 500 B.C to 250 B.C. It was conquered by Alexander the Great in the year 1326 B.C. The famous king of the ancient times Chandar Gupt Muria defeated the Greeks and established a vast empire. Another famous ruler Ashoka who died in the year 232 B.C. also ruled the area. Ashoka's inscribed stones left near Mansehra date back to this period. It remained the center of Gandhara Civilization for may centuries. Maharaja Jai Pal and Raja Risalo are well known rulers of that times.

Hazara has also been ruled in the past by locals tribes of Ghakars, Gujars, Kharals, Sikhs and finally the British before the establishment of Pakistan. Being located on the Road to Kashmir, the area has attracted many invaders.

Archaeological sites scattered in and around Hazara reveal that the area was once the center of first Hindu civilization and later Buddhist civilization. Islam came to the area with Mahmood Ghaznavi in 1192 A.D. Amir Taimur invaded and ruled this area in 1398. A significant event in its history is the establishment of an independent state of Hazara in 1490 by Shahabud Din Babar, the cousin of Mughal Emperor Zahirud Din Babar. Guli Bagh in Tehsil Mansehra was the capital of this new kingdom. The Feroza Fort and the Tomb of Hazrat Dewan Raja Baba Sahib are the ancient buildings of Guli Bagh. After the British took over the rule of India from Mughals, Captain Abbott was sent

from Delhi as first Deputy Commissioner of Hazara in 1848.The old tribes of the region include Gujars, Awans, Dalazak, Tanoli, Swati, Tareen and Ghakar.

1.6 AREA AND POPULATION

Based on the figures of the last census held in 1981 and the inter census rate of growth, the present population of Hazara is estimated to be about 5 million, out of which only 6.25% (0.3 million) is urban and the remaining 93.75% (4.7 million) is rural. This extra ordinary high percentage of rural population is because of Batagram and Kohistan districts, which do not have any urban settlement. These are totally rural districts of Pakistan.

The total area of Hazara division is 17103 sq.kms which makes it one of the biggest divisions of Pakistan.1.7 ADMINISTRATIVE SETUP

The division is comprised of five districts of Haripur, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Batagram and Kohistan (Fig. 2). Previously Haripur was a part of Abbottabad, and Batagram was included in the Mansehra District. Both of them have been established as new districts during the past few years. Every district has its headquarter located at the city of the same name except Kohistan district whose headquarter is located at Dassu.

Fig.2:

Administrative Setup

2. GOALS AND OBJECTIVES2. GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

2.1 GOALS

The goals of the Regional Master Plan are:-

a. Promote and develop the tourism industry of Hazara Division by involving both the private and public sectors.

b. Fully protect and preserve the culture, traditions, history, heritage, environment and wild life of the target areas.

c. Develop the socio-economic conditions of the people and areas having tourism potential.

d. Gradually and systematically identify and develop all the existing potential areas for attracting tourists both from in and outside the country.

e. Introduce, promote, develop and publicize the tourism potential of Hazara Division in and outside the country and

f. Make the STC a self financing agency.

2.2 OBJECTIVES

The objectives of the Regional Master Plan are to:-

i. Systematically and through short, medium and long term strategy/plan/approach, gradually develop the potential areas of

Hazara Division for generating income by attracting the foreign as well as the local tourists to the potential areas.

ii. Set the future direction of the Sarhad Tourism Corporation/Government of NWFP/Ministry of Tourism for the promotion and development of tourism in Hazara Division.

iii. Involve private enterprises in setting up profitable and innovative recreational tourist facilities/attractions in Hazara Division either individually or jointly with the government of N.W.F.P.

iv. Explore and identify various ways and means for generating revenue for making the STC a self-financing organization.

v. Provide the basic infrastructure and recreational activities required for the development of potential tourism areas to facilitate tourist travel, lodging, food and recreation etc. in collaboration with the private sector.

vi. Develop the human resources of various institutions, both private and public, directly linked with the tourism industry, for providing services to the tourists.

vii. Address the problems of unemployment, migration from rural to urban areas, income generation for the poor masses, and raising the standard of living of the potential areas.

viii Identify the weaknesses in STC and their resolution to

strengthen the STC to fully implement the regional master plan and play its role as a catalyst.

ix. Identify various areas having tourism potential and work out the appropriateness and feasibility of various activities for developing attractions in these areas.

x. Promote and market the Hazara tourism industry in and outside the country.

xi. Regulate, control and protect the environment of the crowded areas already thronged by the tourists/visitors and prevent the recurrence of this mishap in the potential tourist areas.

xii. Privatize the tourism industry and install a sense of ownership of the tourism industry in the private investors.

xiii Establish a network amongst the private sector, Federal Government, Provincial Government and other sister tourism institutions both in and outside the country for the improvement and promotion of the tourism in Hazara Region.

3. AN OVERVIEW OF EXISTING CONDITIONS3. AN OVERVIEW OF EXISTING CONDITIONS

3.1 TOURISM ACTIVITY

Pakistan enjoys a unique position due to its strategic location on the world map and its topographical and geographical features, especially the areas in the north. The area is known by virtue of its lofty mountains covered with snow, ever green pines, oaks and shrubs. Karakuram (K-2) the second highest peak in the world has graced this land by its location in the northern most part of the country. Picturesque mountain slopes with snow melt rivers flowing in the gorges present fascinating scenes which are attractive to locals and foreigners alike. Nature has gifted this country with vast scope of developing the beautiful hills and panoramic views. Hazara division constitutes a significant part of this beautiful country located north of Pakistan. It consists of the valley of Kaghan, hills of Guliyat and the plains of Abbottabad and Manshera, all unique in the potential scenic beauty as attraction for tourists. To the outside world the Kaghan valley truly represents Pakistan for tourism activity. The world famous Lake Saiful Muluk has remained a place of attraction since many years. Besides the natural beauty, this area has rich historical background. If backwardness is taken as a blessing in disguise, few of the locations here have seen little impact of modern life, therefore, they are culturally preserved in original form. See Annexure-VI at the end of this Report for more details on the existing torism activities, tourism seasons, related services, composition of tourists and recent efforts.

3.2 INFRASTRUCTURE FACILITIES

The division is well linked with rest of the country though KKH starting from Hasanabdal, which provides access to north and south for movement at national as well international levels. Starting from G.T. Road at Hasan Abadal, it passes through almost all the major settlements of the Hazara division except Kaghan Valley and the Galiyat Area in Abbottabad District. The KKH links the area to Gilgit in the north and onward to Sinking Province of China after crossing Khunjrab Pass at the international border.

Second important road of Hazara starts from Manshera to Balakot and provides an access to the whole of Kaghan Valley. This road joins KKH at Chilas after crossing the Babusar Top at the northern end of Kaghan Valley. This road also links Hazara with Muzafferabad in Azad Kashmir from Garhi Habib Ullah.

Besides this major road network minor road system also exists providing access to the remote areas including Dadar Valley, Kala Dhaka (Black Mountain), and Tanawal Plain. However, most of these minor roads are not in good condition and require periodic repairs and improvements.

Due to the frequent land sliding activity, most of the roads including KKH and Kaghan Valley Road are subject to considerable damage, requiring large scale immediate restoration and repair work. These two roads important for tourism activity are not comfortable at all and require a great deal of will and courage for a tourist to drive on them.

Besides roads, there is no scarcity of water in Hazara. Almost all the major settlements have water supply systems, either municipal or through the natural springs. Municipal sewerage system is however

provided only in the bigger urban centers only. Electricity is also available in most of the human settlements located along the main roads or in the vicinity. People living in mountains, especially in darras are however, without this facility.

Other important roads are the one linking KKH near Haripur with Ghora Gali, through a settlement called Maqsooda, which provides access to Galiyat from Abbottabad and onward to Murree. Hazara is also linked with Swat Valley through Shangla Par from a road going west from Besham.Rail link to Hazara is provided up to Havelian only from Rawalpindi. Recently an air link has also been provided between Abbottabad and Islamabad through a regular commercial helicopter service. Fig. 3- A shows the availability of various infrastructure facilities in selected places of the Division.

Fig.3-A: Existing Infrastructure Facilities

3.3 CIVIC AMENITIES

Hazara is linked by the national telecommunication network where direct dialing facility is available. Almost all the major settlements are connected through the telephone system, except remote areas in the valleys or located on the mountains or in darras. In Kaghan Valley the telephone line has gone up to Kaghan town only. All major towns have some level of health facility, post office, police station, banks and other amenities. However, the remote areas are still facing scarcity of these services.

Hotels and restaurants are mainly concentrated in the big cities located along KKH and Kaghan Valley, most of them in Abbottabad, Mansehra, Balakot and Kaghan. Naran also has number of facilities of overnight stay in the private sector. P.T.D.C has provided a number of motels for tourists but are relatively costly. Tourists have no facility from Naran onwards. A number of tourist facilities are also available in Guliyat area, mostly concentrated in Nathiagali.

Restaurants of all kinds are located almost at all locations, but have very poor quality and level of service. Some decent restaurants located in Abbottabad are however, an exception. Fig. 3-B and 3-C show the availability of various civic amenities and tourism facilities at selected locations in the Division.

Tourists information centers are also very few. There is one located in Abbottabad, one in Balakot and the third one in Besham. They are all operated by PTDC.

In order to assess the availability of infrastructure facilities and civic amenities in more details and specific to each potential tourist site, a survey was carried out by the Consultants. The results of the survey have actually become a basis for the master plan proposal as discussed in the next chapters. The copy of the survey proforma is attached here as Annex-I.

Fig.3-B: Existing Civic Amenities

Fig.3-C: Existing Tourism Facilities

4. DATA COLLECTION & ANALYSIS4. DATA COLLECTION & ANALYSIS

Preparation of Master Plan for the development and promotion of tourism at Regional level is perhaps the first exercise of its kind ever undertaken in Pakistan. Therefore no baseline data was available for various aspects involved in tourism.

A large scale country vide and multivariate questionnaire survey for this purpose was neither possible to be carried out within the time allowed nor was it within the scope of this Master Plan. However, necessary opinion surveys have been conducted in order to provide adequate background information and gain better insights into the problems faced by the tourists and other related aspects. These surveys are simply meant to reflect various opinions and have been carried out with small sample size which can not be statistically analyzed on any level of confidence. The results however reflect the existing conditions in an appropriate manner to serve the purpose of this Master Plan.

Adequate data pertaining to various aspects has been collected both from primary as well secondary sources, in order to gain in depth insights to arrive at useful conclusions. Primary source data collection involved number of site visits and questionnaire surveys. The details of data collection and its analysis are as follows.

4.1 SURVEY FOR THE IDENTIFICATION OF POTENTIAL TOURISM SITES

The whole Division was visited and studied by the team of consultants in order to identify the potential sites to be selected for tourism

attractions. They included sites of historical and cultural significance, scenic and natural beauty and other places of interest. As a result, a long list of potential sites was prepared and is included in chapter 6 of this Master Plan.

4.2 SURVEY OF EXISTING INFRASTRUCTURE FACILITIES

The data regarding the existing infrastructure facilities including roads, water supply, sewerage, solid waste disposal, electricity and telephone were collected from various government departments and agencies. The data included the availability of service, level of service, and condition of service in order to estimate deficiency in each facility in terms of its provision at various specific locations with regard to the potential tourism sites selected for the Master Plan. The departments visited for this purpose included the C&W department, Public Health Engineering Department and Local Municipal offices. Information was also collected regarding the projects presently under execution and those already approved for execution . The results of this survey have already been given in chapter 3 of this master plan.

4.3 SURVEY OF EXISTING CIVIC AMENITIES

The data regarding the existing civic amenities including Police, Post, Health, Banks etc. was collected from the Divisional Police Headquarters, General Post Office, Peshawar, Directorate of Health and Zonal Head Offices of various commercial banks respectively. The data was than separated which was related to the specific selected potential tourism sites. The data included the availability of service, level of service and service area covered, in order to identify the

deficiencies. The analysis of this survey is also already given in chapter 3 of this Master Plan.

4.4 SURVEYS OF THE FOREIGN TOURISTS

Foreign tourists were divided into two categories.

i) Foreign touristsii) Foreigners working in N.W.F.P

(A) Foreign Tourists

A total of 12 foreign tourists were randomly approached and interviewed for this purpose. The results of the interviews are as follows.

Out of the total 8 were male and 4 were female. Except one Australian all other belonged to Europe with as much as 8 from U.K alone. They belonged to a variety of professions including engineers, students, farmer, factory workers and even a priest. The countries last visited before Pakistan were India, Iran , China, Egypt and Malaysia, out of which India, China and Iran are neighbors of Pakistan.

The foreign tourists expressed a multitude of purposes behind their visit to Pakistan. They mostly came for tracking , mountain climbing, sight seeing and to visit the historic and cultural places. A few of then (2 out of 12) came for sex and drugs. This clearly reflects that the tourists interested in sex and drugs are actually very small in number, leading to the fact that good tourism is quite possible without sex and drugs.

Peshawar, Swat, Chitral and Northern Areas were the places of attraction for these tourists. Other places in Pakistan included Mohenjodaro, Quetta and Bahawalpur.

Books and friends were among the most common means to come to know about tourist places in Pakistan.

Half of the tourists entered into Pakistan by air while the others came by road. After entering into Pakistan bus and coach were the most common modes of transport used by the foreign tourists.

It is interesting to note that most of the foreign tourists were travelling single and not in groups. The expenditure mostly ranged from Rs. 20,000/- to Rs. 40,000/- per person.

Foreign tourists have expressed the following problems faced by them during their stay in Pakistan.

Problems.

i. Lack of information and sometimes wrong information.ii. Harassment by local males to female tourists .iii. Cheating in terms of many matters.iv. Child beggars.v. Lack of permission to visit Khyber Pass and Tribal Areas.vi. Non-availability of transport at night.vii. Difference in price charged to a foreigner or a local.viii. Lack of credit card /currency exchange facility.ix. Too many police check posts and movement restrictions.

x. Short duration of visas for Pakistan.xi. Poor quality food and other goods.xii. Lack of good quality , average period hotels.

Following are some of the suggestions came from the foreign tourists.

Suggestions.

i. Provide better and efficient garbage collection and disposal system for generally clean environment.

ii. Police checking should be made at few places only to make movement easier.

iii. Accessibility to more areas should be made easily possible.

iv. Regulate the pricing system for hotels, restaurant and transport.

v. Appropriate tourism literature should be made available for better information.

It was revealed by the survey that normally the duration of the tourist stay ranged from one week to one month. A copy of the survey proforma is attached at the end of this report as Annex-II.

(B). Survey of Foreigners Working in NWFP.

A large number of foreigners working mostly with the international aid agencies are living in NWFP, mostly in Peshawar. A total of 10 such foreigners were interviewed in connection of tourism in NWFP. A copy of the proforma is attached with this report as Annex-III. The analysis of these interviews is as follows.

Out of the 10, only one was a female and all others were male. Except one Afghan and one American all others were from different countries of Europe. They had been in Pakistan for a period ranging from 1 year to 4 years. Most of them were doing administrative jobs of managerial level.

It is revealed from the survey that these foreigners quite frequently visit the tourism places and often the same place more than once. The most frequently visited places include Murree in Punjab, Swat, Chitral, Kaghan and Guliyat Area in NWFP. Books, literature and friends have again emerged as the most common means of information about these places.

Following are some of the problems faced by these tourists.

Problems.

i) Lack of adequate and authentic information about specific sites, even from the Tourist Information Centers of PTDC.

ii) Frequently cancellation of flights, especially to Gilgit and Chitral.

iii) Lack of appropriate and adequate facilities.Some of the suggestion made by these tourists to improve tourism activity are as follows.

Suggestions.

i) Provide adequate information about the tourism locations.ii) Improve the advertising and promotion of tourism.iii) Improve physical conditions on tourist locations.

iv) Introduce more tourist locations and attractions.v) Improve the general hotel conditions.vi) Improve the means of communication.vii) Improve hotel, restaurant and car rental services.

4.5 SURVEYS WITH THE LOCAL/DOMESTIC TOURISTS

A total of 20 questionnaires were completed at various locations in the Region. A copy of the proforma is attached with this report as Annex-IV. The analysis of the survey results is as follows:

Level of education is essentially a strong determinant of a persons's awareness and attitude towards recreation. Therefore persons with varied type of education level were interviewed. Out of the total 15 % had no formal education, whereas 25 % of the total were metric and as much as 30 % had intermediate level of education. Another 30 % were graduates. Responding to the question, everybody agreed that recreation was essential for life and a necessity for good health. A significant majority of the respondents revealed that they go frequently for recreation and as much as 95 % of the total respondents confirmed it. It was revealed that most of the people (65 %) go for recreation on monthly basis. Another 10 % show an annual opportunity for this purpose. Social, Cultural and tribal values are very strong in NWFP. Most areas still reflect traditional attitudes in activities of daily life including recreation of female family members. However, these values are changing fast, but to some extent they are still intact as shown by the survey results. The survey has shown that only 85 % of the total respondents take their family out for recreation and the remaining 15 % do not follow this practice. There are three common reasons discovered for not taking the family out for recreation, which

are as follows:

i. Personal dislikingii. Lack of security in public placesiii. Religious reasons

People go to various places for recreation. As much as 42 % of the total go to the Malakand Region which includes the valleys of Swat, Dir and Chitral. Swat being located closest is perhaps the most popular destination. Places located in Punjab are the second most popular destinations and they include Murree, Islamabad and Lahore, as about 30 % of the total respondents go there during vacations.

Hazara Region is another popular destination as about 15 % go to Abbottabad and Kaghan for this purpose. About 8 % remains in Peshawar and visit the local recreation places including Hayatabad. As much as 95 % of the total respondents expressed that such activity will be good for the local economy, as it will generate income for the local population.

4.6 SURVEY FOR THE COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION

A total of 20 locals belonging the nearby areas where most of the tourism activities take place were interviewed. A copy of the proforma for this purpose is attached with this report as Annex-V. The results of this survey are discussed in details in chapter 13 of this report being the appropriate and relevant place.

5. OVERALL STRATEGY FOR THE MASTER PLAN5. OVERALL STRATEGY FOR THE MASTER PLAN

5.1 IMMEDIATE ACTION PROGRAMME. (IAP)

The overall strategy of the Master Plan is based on two pronged approach; an immediate action programme for the initial period of 2 years, and a long term programme spanning over a period of 10 years. The long term programme period will include the immediate action programme, and will be integrated accordingly.

The Immediate Action Programme (IAP) will essentially prepare and provide a base, an environment and a set up for the implementation of the long term programme . In order to achieve this objective and to ensure smooth implementation of the Master Plan, the actions proposed at this stage will not be based on large scale financing. This stage will involve the preparation of various policies and regulatory measures and their implementation in order to improve the existing conditions in tourism sector without proposing the large scale new facilities and infrastructure The major activities proposed to be carried out during this period are as follows:

i. design, adopt and enforce the regulatory measures for the provision of various tourism facilities.

ii. carry out marketing and promotion drives at intensive and extensive levels.

iii. improve/upgrade the existing deficient infrastructure facilities and the civic amenities.

iv. commence the institutional strengthening of STC to enable it to fully discharge its future role as a leading agency in tourism sector.

5.2 LONG TERM PROGRAMME.

Once the policies have been prepared and a general environment for the tourism promotion an development has been established, the long term programme will be implemented which will certainly involve large scale funding and financing. This stage will involve the project preparation, planning and implementation in a phased out manner based on the established priorities. All the development projects are proposed to be executed in this stage in an integrated fashion as will be reflected later in the chapter on the project implementation. The major activities proposed to be carried out during this stage are therefor as follows:

i. extension of the infrastructure facilities and provision of civic amenities to new sites in an integrated manner.

ii. extension of the level and coverage of the marketing and promotion campaign.

iii. emphasis on revenue generation activities for sustainable development in the tourism sector.

6. POTENTIAL TOURISM SITES AND LOCATIONS6. POTENTIAL TOURISM SITES AND LOCATIONS

A long list of potential sites and location was prepared and included in the Report on Existing Conditions. However, the list is neither exhaustive nor it is within the scope of the consultants work to prepare a 100% complete list of potential sites and location. In absolute terms every location within the study area is a candidate for development into some kind of tourism facility, be a picnic spot or a roadside facility. Nonetheless, the consultants have made every effort to identify all the potential sites and locations for the purpose of this Master Plan.

6.1 HARIPUR DISTRICT

Following is the list of the potential sites and locations as identified by the consultants and are shown in Fig.4-A.

6.1.1 Dingi

This is a busy and shady road side stop-over for vehicular traffic midway between Hasanabdal and Haripur. Development of ground water through an electric tubewell has converted barren fields into a green groove of shady trees and productive land. Electric supply is available so also a black topped road of KKH. All other facilities are available at nearby Haripur. A road side facility is required to be provided as stopover amenity to the tourists.

6.1.2Khalabat

Khalabat is a new town planned and constructed after the submergence of old town in Tarbela Lake. The boundary of the vast

Tarbela lake is not far from this new township where all facilities are available. This site will be suited in winter, autumn and in spring, because of its comparatively warmer temperature. The site would be located

Fig.4-A: Proposed Tourism Sites-Haripur District

on Haripur Khalabat road, a bit beyond the main road and by the boundary of Tarbela Lake water level. The proposed tourist facilities would enable the visitors to enjoy boating, water sports and fishing from the eastern side of the lake.

6.1.3Tarbela Dam

Tarbela Dam is one of the largest dams in the world and has gained importance from international agencies because it was planned, designed and constructed by a consortium of engineers of repute and was also funded by them. The vast expanse of the man made lake impresses every visitor. When the dam is full in summer the overflowing water from the spillway presents a view similar to that of Niagara Falls and the fast splashing water over the rocks sprinkle droplets in a radius of half a kilometer which is so pleasant that one would like to stop and enjoy the water laden breeze for hours. Facilities for tourists however are not available for over night stay or any other activity. A water sports activity can be designed and established together with an angling facility.

A visit to the Power House on the right bank is yet another attraction. It is pertinent to mention here that the Power House is the largest Hydal Project in Pakistan and ranks even amongst a few large ones in the world.

6.1.4Khanpur Dam

This dam on Harro river and the resultant lake is a man made activity where flood water going waste has been tamed for productive irrigation. The glance of the lake from the rest house on the hill top

presents a panoramic view which attracts visitors so much so that they wish to repeat the visit frequently. The lake with its ancillary structure is situated on Haripur Taxila road. Its importance from tourism point of view has gone up due to the industrial estate established at Hatter, nearby. All facilities exist at Hatter, not far away from the Dam.

6.1.5. Mang

Mang is located close to Haripur town along a minor road taking off from the KKH. This small road links with the Khanpur Dam. Mang is a beautiful spot where water has been collected in a lake offering a potential picnic spot.

6.1.6. Sarkari Bagh

This place is located in Haripur town and is important from its historic significance. An improved environment around the garden can make it an attractive tourism site.

6.1.7 Sarai Saleh, and6.1.8. Manik Rai

These two sites are located on the banks of River Dor, directly opposite to each other. Both sites are centuries old dating back to the Kushan Dynasty.

6.1.9. Jholian

This is also an archeological site located along the Haripur-Taxila road

and bears its significance from Gandhara civilization.

6.1.10. Hari Singh Fort

Hari Singh Fort located at Haripur town is an important historic land mark. The fort was built by Hari Singh, the ruler of the area in old days.

6.1.11. Darvesh

It is a small settlement located along KKH in the vicinity of Haripur town towards Taxila. Being situated at the doorway of both Haripur and the who region, the settlement is important for providing a tourism facility providing guidance to the travellers in the Hazara Region.

6.1.12. Maqsooda on Ghora Gali Road

It is a small settlement located along the road linking Haripur with the Ghora Gali in Guliyat Area. A road side facility located here will be extremely useful for the tourists travelling on this road.

6.2 ABBOTTABAD DISTRICT

6.2.1Abbottabad City

This is the Headquarter of the district and situated in 34 09' N and 73-13' E as shown in Fig.5-B. The headquarter of the district was fist placed here in 1853 and the new cantonment was named after Major James Abbott, first Deputy Commissioner of Hazara (1847 - 1853). The

town is picturesquely situated at the southern corner of the plain, 4120 ft above sea level. This beautiful scenic place is bounded by hills on all the four sides except its approach form the southern inlet and the northern exit towards Mansehra. The city has by now developed into a attractive tourist spot with all possible amenities. These amenities broadly are, good roads leading to Nathia Gali-Murree, Mansehra-Kaghan, Naran, good quality hotels and restaurants with gas connections, tourist information center, post and telegraph, NWD telephones and a medical complex and shopping facility for quality products . One township called Jinnahabad township has already been constructed while a second one is in process by the Physical Planning and Housing Department of Government of N.W.F.P.

Fig.4-B:

Abbottabad is basically a cantonment city which is a base of some well known Army Units. Pakistan Military Academy is located at Kakul which falls within the urban limits of Abbottabad. This academy has a strong and visible impact on the urban life of Abbottabad. The second most significant activity is the presence of a number of high standard English Medium educational institutions both in private and public sectors.

6.2.2Sherwan

This is a significant settlement situated at a distance of about 19 kilometers west of Abbottabad in lower Tanawal. Located right on the hill this potential tourist spot has a commanding view all round. The area is attractive from the point of view of its mild climatic conditions and attractive scenery around. For most of the urban needs in terms of services and facilities it depends on Abbottabad City.

6.2.3Nawan Shehr

Closely situated to Abbottabad, this town older than Abbottabad itself, is known for its springs. The gushing spring water is cold in summer, and warm in winter. Tourists enjoy the profusely flowing water which does not diminish in any season of the year. While visiting/staying at Abbottabad or on way to Kaghan valley the Nawan Sher town is a place of interest for the tourists which is located at a distance of only 5 kilometers from the down town Abbottabad and falls within its urban limits. Being located in close proximity, it depends on Abbottabad for most of the urban facilities and services.

6.2.4Dhamtour

Dhamtour is a small settlement located close to Abbotabad along the road to Guliyat. The importance of Dhamtour is due to a very old cemetry located here which owns a historic background.

6.2.5 Ilyasi Mosque

Ilyasi Mosque located at Nawan Shehr is another historic land mark of the area. It is a beautiful mosque with interesting architectural structure.

GULIYAT

6.2.6Kalabagh

It is a small cantonment, situated 34-06' N and 73-25' E on the road between Abbottabad and Nathia Gali at a distance of 2 kilometers short of Nathia Gali. Except for its scenic beauty and overlooking view of the lower green hills from the road, there is no stop over arrangement of any sort. A helipad belonging to the Pakistan Air Force is located here. Most of the Rest Houses located here belong to Pakistan Army. The view of Nathia Gali from here is beautiful.

6.2.7Khaira Gali

It is also a small settlement situated at 33-55'N and 73-20' E. This is the last settlement before the road from Nathia Gali enters into Punjab while going to Murree. Murree is about 12 kilometers from here. Beautiful scenery can be enjoyed in all directions from here. No important tourist facilities is available here except refreshments and

snacks.

6.2.8Khanspur/Ayubia

These two are closely situated (34o-02'N and 73o-30'E). Khanspur is linked with the main Murree-Abbottabad Road with a small link road. Khanspur being cantonment is prohibited for the visitors while Ayubia is actually meant for tourists. Ayubia has been developed into a tourist spot as chair lifts have been installed and a large number of visitors enjoy this facility every year during the summer. With all this fanfare and joy sides, there is no road side facility for the tourists for over night stay. Quite a few tourist huts at normal rates are required to be constructed to make the site more attractive.

6.2.9Nathia Gali

It has been the summer headquarter of the Frontier Govt., and is a hill resort with beautiful buildings and hotels. It is situated at 34-05' N and 73-58'E midway on the road from Abbottabad to Murree. Hotels developed here in the recent past are expensive for the average tourist. Road side facility adequately for the tourists is a must to have attraction for them. In fact the influx of tourists during summer months warrants that, because a normal tourist cannot afford the high charges of the good quality hotels.

6.2.10 Thandiani

Though closely situated to Abbottabad, this hill side resort at a height of 8,845 feet has not received due attention from the tourism point of view. A couple of rest houses exist here but are owned by provincial

departments which can not ordinarily be used by the tourists. As and when the tourist influx develops, of course through proper publicity, additional facilities can be added later on. It is worth mentioning here that a small shopping center used to exist during the early British days. A T.V. booster has been installed here to extend transmission facilities to far flung villages.

6.2.11 - 6.2.13 Changla Gali, Bara Gali, Dunga Gali

These beautiful small hilly villages are a source of attraction while on way to Murree from Abbottabad. Because of thickly covered mountains with Pine, Oaks and Jenifer trees, these places present an enchanting picture to the eyes. The wild life peeping from behind the tree trunks is yet another attraction for the tourist.

6.3 MANSEHRA DISTRICT

6.3.1Historical Building at Mansehra

Evacuee property presently occupied by CIA and Traffic police, within the Mansehra Bazaar on Kashmir Road, is situated in an old building. The building style is a copy of Mughal architecture with multifoliate arches and galleries of the style of Lahore Fort. The carvings on the walls are unique rarely seen except in a few places in Pakistan.

It is most expedient to preserve this building in its present shape and protect it from interference in any style even on the pretext of improvement / addition and alteration. Periodic cleaning would be necessary, to maintain its glamour.

6.3.2Ashoka Park

The Archaeological remains in Hazara are not numerous, but one is of great interest and importance. This is an inscription on three boulders near the base of Bareri Hill close to Mansehra town, containing the first 13 of the 14 rock edicts of Ashoka (3rd century B.C). A park has been constructed in the locality and efforts made to preserve the rocks. The park speaks of misuse by the public and lack of repairs by the local administration.

6.3.3Baffa

This is an important town in Mansehra district, situated about 12 kilometers north of Mansehra on a link road running parallel to the KKH as Shown in Fig.4-C. The town is historically significant in this area owing to an old cemetry of Turkish soldiers. Many learned scholars and important political leaders were produced here who played vital role in religion and creation of Pakistan. The flora and fauna of this area is well known. When the slopes are covered with a special species of flowers in spring, these present a wonderful and enchanting view to the eyes.

Fig.4-C:

6.3.4Shinkiari

After Baffa, Shinkiari is a famous town situated along the KKH at a distance of about 15 kilometers on Siran river bank. Apart from its scenic beauty it is important politically too being home town of a number of political figures. An experimental tea plantation farm under the management of Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) has been set up which is reported to be successful. All facilities are available in Shinkiari. The lower Siran Canal head nearby is a site of attraction. The canal takes off from River Siran here. A small Rest House of the Irrigation Department also exists at the head.

6.3.5 Jabori (Dadar valley)

Dadar is located on northeast of Shinkiari. Being situated at an altitude, a sanitorium has been constructed for the treatment of patients of chest diseases since very long. The valley beyond is also called Dadar valley, and is interspersed by Siran River. The forests on the hill have thinned out during the course of the years and unless steps for afforestation are taken, the site will lose its beauty which it somewhat presently enjoys. Next to Shinkiari, this is an important stop over for tourists and construction of a small hut will be a positive step towards encouragement of the tourist industry. Jabori is an important settlement of the valley which is located almost in the centre.

6.3.6Sultan Gali (Dadar Valley)

Located at a relatively higher altitude and surrounded by forests Sutan Gali offers beautiful panoramic views all around, especially of

Battal and Chattar Plain.

6.3.7Chattar plain

This is situated near Battal Town on the Karakuram Highway (KKH). This plain, some years back was a deserted site which is now humming with all activities as the highway passes right through the plain. The area has quite a few reasonably good hotels for short term overnight stays for the tourists. On account of its location on higher altitude it has a very pleasant temperature during summer. The water directly drawn from the wells does not need any ice to cool. The place is gaining momentum for the development of physical infrastructure and quite a few facilities are now located along the main road including a few restaurants and a high standard hotel belonging to a Hotel chain of N.W.F.P.

6.3.8 Ichar Canal Head

On way to Balakot some 5 Km ahead of Mansehra we cross Ichor nullah. This is flowing from right to left. Here a small canal from this natural nullah called Ichor Canal has been taken. The configuration of the area and the high level location of the winding canal presents a panoramic view of the opposite plain and habitation. The commanding situation here warrants provision of a small scale stop over arrangement for enjoying scenic beauty of the landscape.

6.3.9Mandher

This is a beautiful spot by the road side next to Ichor Canal and short of Batrasi. A small improvised hotel for passers by has been erected

but has no modern facility. The situation of the site offers opportunity to enjoy the hill side slopes on the right with the natural nulla flowing at the foot of the hill. The establishment of a road side facility for the tourists will enable the tourists to enjoy the beauty of nature.

6.3.10 Batrasi

Half a Kilometer away from Batrasi Rest House is a turn on the road with overhanging cliff wherefrom the entire area down below upto Garhi Habibullah is clearly visible, along with the flow pattern of Kunhar River. The cliff is ideally situated for the construction of a picnic spot. The Batrasi Rest House of the C&W deptt. though beautifully placed is not available to tourists.

6.3.11 Atar Shisha

It is a small settlement located on way from Mansehra to Batrasi and offers beautifull natural environment for a short time stay of tourists travelling to the Kaghan Valley.

6.3.12 Qalandar Abad

Located along KKH at a distance of half way between Abbottabad and Mansehra this location is a beautiful spots to be proposed as a tourist facility .

6.3.13 Ghazi Kot Township

It is a new and planned residential area with beautiful natural environment offering many views of scenic beauty .

6.3.14 Gandhian

Located within the vicinity of Mansehra and close to Baffa, Gandhian is known for a stone structure which dates back to Hindu Shahi period . It is said that Hindu women used to visit this place for a desire to have a child.

6.3.15 Zar Dheri

This site is located near village Tumba. This is also an archeological site located near Shinkiari on Dadar Road . There is a stupa here which is as high as 31 feet.

6.3.16 Guli Bagh

Located in the east of Baffa a group of historic building is located at Guli Bagh. These buildings which include Feroza Fort and the Tomb of Hazrat Dewan Raja Baba Sahib are perhaps the most important form historic point of view which are preserved to a great extent.

6.3.17 Icchrian

Located along KKH close to the bridge on River Siran this is a small settlement offering immense natural beauty to the travellers in the area.

6.3.18 Battal

Battal is an important settlement after Mansehra located along KKH which offers a good range of urban facilities and civic amenities .

6.3.19 Garhi Habib Ullah

The small settlement of Garhi Habib Ullah is located at the start of Kaghan Valley along river Kunhar. It is also an important road junction as a road from here links Hazara Division with Muzaffarabad in Azad Kashmir.

6.3.20 Hassa

This is a flat land a little short of Balakot along the right bank of Kunhar River. Efforts have been made to make it a resting place by constructing a seating platform. The site can conveniently be converted into a picnic spot. While proceeding to Balakot, this picnic spot will offer a resting place for tourists.

KAGHAN VALLEY

6.3.21 Balakot

Balakot is in fact a gateway to the Kaghan route, since the valley starts from here, as shown in Fig.4-D. This town is of great historic significance as two important religious martyrs are buried here. They are Syed Ahmad Shaheed and Shah Ismail Shaheed. They were killed in Jehad against Sikhs. Fast flowing Kunhar River finds its way here after debouching from the gorge.

PTDC has established a Tourist Information Center (TIC) for the guidance of visiting tourists, individuals and groups. The information center however itself is not well informed about the problems arising out of accessibility to various sites because of road conditions. Moreover, the center is closed on holidays and after office timings whereas the tourists cannot manage to arrive at the center during office hours.

6.3.22 Kiwai

This is a reasonably medium size village and a turning point to Shogran, from the main Balakot-Kaghan road. A C&W Department Rest House exists here but no facility is available for the tourists, as the rest house is not open to tourists.

6.3.23 Shogran

One of the most beautiful sites in Kaghan valley is Shogran. It is located on a side road from Kiwai, 9 kilometers away, with a height of 7,752 feet above the sea level. The flat plain at the top covered with green grass and green shrubs around, thick grooves of pine and deodar tress on adjacent hills, is a gift of nature bestowed on this fascinating spot. Beside the Forest Department Rest House, there are a limited number of hotels to cater to the needs of the tourists.

Fig.4-D:

Since the area is going through a fast pace of development which often results in haphazard growth, a master plan for Shogran is urgently needed. A black top road to shogran ha been proposed by the forest department but the pace of work is slow and needs to be accelerated. When completed it will make the steep ascent easy.

6.3.24. Malkandi

Malkandi is situated on south west of Shogran at a distance of about 5 km, which is accessible through Jeep. The reserve forest of Malkandi is rich in its wild life, which includes leopards, monkeys, bears, dear, pheasants and various species if birds. The forest is centuries old and some trees are known to be of thousands years of age. A sign board

found besides one of the trees reads;Such historical monuments are necessarily to be preserved as a remnant of history of which we should be proud.

6.3.25 Siri and Paya

Both Siri and Paya are located close to Shogran. Paya is about 8 km away at the height of about 10,500 feet whereas, Siri is located about 9000 feet above sea level. The area is rich in scenic beauty and

Look at me,

I am a historical tree,My waist is 24 feet,

My height is 200 feet,My arms are 2 feet thick,

and,My age is 2,000 years !

natural attraction. It is told that water is not found in abundance at Paya.

6.3.26 Manur

The thick forest of Manur has many secrets of natural beauty for tourists to discover and unfold. Located closed to Shogran and Malkandi this forest is one of the oldest and

preserved in terms of its natural environment , wild life and flora & fauna.

6.3.27 Sheran

This beautiful spot is situated some distance down Shogran. A lake located near here adds tremendous beauty to the area. It has its approach from Paras situated on main Balakot-Kaghan road. The existing facilities are in need of improvement so as to make the place comfortable and attractive for the tourists. A youth hostel is located at Sheran but is seldom used. A WAPDA rest house is also located on the left bank of the lake.

6.3.28 Khanian

Almost midway between Kiwai and Kaghan is situated a small but beautiful village named Khanian. The village by the river side has its usual feature as per other villages such as the river and hill side view. A modern hotel has been constructed across the river which is approachable by a suspension bridge. This building of the hotel has been styled on Chinese design as the roof slopes have been curved back as per design of usual such buildings.

6.3.29 Kaghan

The whole valley is named after this village which clearly indicates its importance from times immemorial. The area around Kaghan is owned by Syed family and partly by local Gujjars. Locals have their old style restaurants which do not come up to standard, nor are there any quality hotels. Since Naran, the attractive site ahead is away through a difficult road, it is imperative that some road side facility on modern lines is established here. This will offer a good deal of relief to the tourists. The facilities should also include a Center for monitoring of the road conditions ahead for proper guidance of the tourists.

6.3.30 Naran

This is the terminus of the beautiful part of Kaghan valley and an important station. This site is plain and wide and has more facilities than any other in the area. This station has its unique characteristics that a 9 kilometers hard climb starts from here to lake Saiful Muluk on the right on its eastern side. A main road from here leads to Babusar Top and onwards to Gilgit. PTDC motels are available here and so also other private good quality hotels. Jeep service of PTDC and private

owners can be hired here for Saiful Maluk or up to Babu Sar.

STC has started its helicopter service from Islamabad to this place which will provide good opportunity to expatriates of the different embassies and other organizations. Since the helicopter charges are high, the average tourist will not ordinarily venture to undertake this exercise. As such the charges need to have a revision for scaling down if the tourist activity is to flourish.

6.3.31 Lake Saiful Muluk

This is a legendary site known after the name of one prince by this name who was stated to be in love with a beautiful damsel Badre Jamala. Badre-Jamala means a moon of beauty. An old man said to be a watchman tells this story to the young enthusiastic and romance stricken visitors and earn an estimated amount of Rs. 5,000 to 10,000 per season, by making the story more enchanting and absorbing. Whatever the different versions of the story may be, the lake is situated at a height of 3200 meters above mean sea level. It used to be 1 sq. kilometer in area but surprisingly it has diminished by at least one third in its size during the past quarter of the century. The reduction is witnessed to have been occurring from the hind, the Malika Parbat side by way of debris brought along by glaciers. The awe inspiring Malika Parbat touches the height of 5260 meters.

Tourists must have seen man-made lakes but this one by nature is so much enchanting that all artificial arrangements are no match to this. Tourists have rendered the surroundings of the lake unhealthy by litter and solid waste. Necessity has arisen for planning the surrounding hygienic and providing a public park for amusement of

the visitors with suitable proposals for hygiene and solid waste disposal. Restricting discharging flow from the lake is needed to prolong its life.

6.3.32 Lulupat Lake

Further north from Naran on the left lies a beautiful lake known as Lulupat lake, which is not very far from the main Naran-Babu Sar road. Lulupat is in fact the source of Kunhar river and is famous for trout fish. This area is unexplored so far as there is no approach road. The area is best suited for camping by providing temporary huts or tents. Lulupat Lake is situated at an altitude of 13668 feet.

6.3.33 Dudupat Lake

A narrow valley runs towards east from Basal for a distance of about 7 kilometers at the end of which is located a marvel of nature which otherwise is little known to the visitors. The area is only approachable on foot along a small stream of snow melt cold and fresh water. Slopes on both sides are covered with rare species of flowers and wild vegetation. This scenic and beautiful lake is rarely visited due to the lack of appropriate approach.

6.3.34 Lalazar

This is a green plateau on the road to Babusar beyond Naran. The whole area besides being lush green is abundantly full of natural flowers of varieties. It may be mentioned that from here onwards to

Babusar the road is not easily motor able at the moment. Because of the snow cover the road is cleared in reaches, stage by stage, as the snow melts. The area is comparatively plain with beautiful growth of wild grass and seasonal flowers. A Wapda Rest House exists here but no other arrangements have so far been made either by PTDC or STC.

6.3.35 Batakundi

This is the next settlement after Naran and Lalazar on the main Naran-Babu Sar road. Those who wish to be away from congestion of Naran take their course to Lalazar and Batakundi. Still higher than Lalazar and Naran, Batakundi throws its cool effect on the tourists with its refreshing air and pleasant cold water.

6.3.36 Basel

Basel is the last human settlement after Naran before approaching the Babu Sar Top. It is a small settlement located right on the main road and offers some basic facilities including eating places, tea shops and others.

6.3.37 Babusar Top

At an altitude of 4,146 meters above the mean sea level, this is the last and highest point of Kaghan valley and a gateway to the Gilgit valley via Chilas. One can see the towering 8,126 meters high Nanga Parbat from here on any clear day.

6.4 BATAGRAM DISTRICT

6.4.1Batagram Town

Located along the main KKH at a distance of about 50 kilometers from Mansehra, Batagram has significant potential to be developed as a tourist resting place to provide tourism and the allied facilities and services to the tourists on their long journey towards north (Fig.4-E). A good quality hotel is already existing in the main bazaar of the town, so are a number of other urban facilities and amenities.

6.4.2Thakot Bridge

Located across River Indus, Thakot Bridge is a beautiful location where tourists can make a short stop over before embarking on the long journey towards Giligt through the dry and rugged mountain passage of KKH .

6.4.3Hill Spot on way to Alaii

There is a beautiful hill spot with cool and extremely pleasant atmosphere located along the way to Alaii. It has tremendous potential to become a tourist attraction if the basic facilities including an approach road is provided in a planned manner.

Fig.4-E:

6.5 KOHISTAN DISTRICT

6.5.1Dassu

Dassu is the headquarter of Kohistan district and is located along the KKH (Fig.4-F). Presently it is not offering many services to the travellers of KKH except a few eating places, a few tea shops and a few shops of ordinary items. A telephone facility links Dassu with the rest of the country. However, there is a scope for the place to become a resting spot for he travellers moving on KKH.

6.5.2Pattan

The small but important settlement of Pattan is located along river Indus before reaching Dassu, the major settlement of Kohistan . Pattan is also a small cantonment area where basic facilities and amenities are available.

6.5.3 Jalkot Valley

Starting from Dassu on eastern side of river Indus, the long Valley of Jalkot Nallah runs across Kohistan after being divided into a number of small valleys which ultimately joins with Kaghan Valley. Very few and very small settlements are located along this valley which has nothing much to offer except its very interesting natural landscape, challenging the visitors to scale it down. There are no facilities or amenities of any kind available in the entire valley.

6.5.4Harban Valley

Harban valley starts from a place called Harban across the river Indus and runs south words . The valley offers interesting landscape of high mountains and wilderness . The population size of the valley is negligible and no facilities and amenities exist in the valley.

Fig4-F:

7. DEFINITIONS OF TOURIST FACILITIES7. DEFINITIONS OF TOURIST FACILITIES

Following are the definitions of various tourism facilities and activities proposed in the Master Plan in terms of their purpose, function, area and other necessary information.

i. HOTEL

A hotel is meant to be a building providing facilities to stay overnight for the tourists and visitors, includes a number of bed rooms, a kitchen, a restaurant, a lobby and other facilities for the entertainment of the visitors . Hotels have been classified in various categories from single star to five stars depending upon the number and type of facilities provided.

ii. MOTEL

A motel is meant to be a building providing facilities to stay for the tourist and visitors overnight in a limited capacity and duration. Generally a motel is a place for shorter stays than in hotel and offers limited facilities as compared to that of a hotel . In the context of this Master Plan a motel is essentially awned and or managed by STC.

iii. TOURIST HOSTEL

A tourist hostel is a building with a number of rooms for overnight stay of the tourists with common bathrooms and no restaurant or cooking facility. It offers accommodation on thrifty rates with no extra facilities. In the context of this Master Plan a tourist hostel is owned and or managed by STC.

iv. RESTAURANT

A restaurant is an area where meals and snacks are served. It necessarily is comprised of a dining hall and a kitchen . An open eating/ sitting space is optional. In the context of this Master Plan a restaurant is essentially owned and or managed by STC.

v. PICNIC SPOT

Picnic spot is an area with potential of scenic and natural beauty , suitable for passive and light active recreation of the tourists. It will comprise of grassy field, landscaping, sitting place, and properly designed walkways. The picnic spot varies in size but will not be less than 5 kanals in area in order to adequately perform its functions and will not be more than 20 canales to become a recreation park. In the context of this Master Plan the proposed picnic spots will be designed , developed owned maintained and managed by STC.

vi. ROADSIDE FACILITY.

A roadside facility is a small kiosk offering light refreshments like cold drinks, candies, cigarettes etc. A small car park for 4 to 5 cars can also be provided to facilitate its functions. STC will encourage the small scale local entrepreneurs or individuals to establish such facilities on designated sites.

vii. TOURIST FACILITATION CENTRE.

Tourist Facilitation Centers (TFC) are proposed to actually replace the presently existing Tourist Information Centers. The Tourist Facilitation Centre will have a much broader scope of services and facilities offered to the tourists. In addition to providing information regarding the places of interest, the TFC will also provide information regarding day to day whether conditions, road conditions, availability of hotel accommodation during the peak season, alternate tour/route plans, make contacts with car rentals, tour operators, tour guides etc. Tourist Facilitation Centre will be located along the main roads at prominent and easily accessible sites. It will cover small area comprising of 2 rooms only. A Tourist Facilitation Centre can also be located within the premises of a hotel, motel or restaurant, if adequately accessible.

viii. CABLE CAR / CHAIR LIFT

A Cable Car is a mode of transport for the recreation of tourists located mainly between the two hill tops across a valley. While the chair lift is open , the cable car is an enclosed / glass container with seating for 2 to 6 persons. The car/ chair moves hanging with a cable.

ix. CAMPING SITE

Camping site is a designated area where tourist can erect tents/camps for overnight stay. The whole area is paved and space for tents/camps is marked on the ground . The necessary infrastructure facilities like water, sewerage etc. are provided for common use. An adequate space for car parking is also provided . The site area varies from 2 kanals as minimum to make it functionally viable to 10 kanals as maximum to keep it manageable.

x. FISHING

Fishing is a sport popular at few spots in the fresh water rivers. Fishing does not require any designated area in terms of space. However, it stretches along the river banks and spots need to be identified which are suitable for this activity in order to control the activity and restrict the commercial motives.

xi. BOATING.

Boating is also a popular sport and mode of recreation. However, appropriate measure need to be provided for safety purposes.

xii. RAFTING

Rafting is a challenging, exciting and adventurous game common is the U.S and some European countries which is essentially played in the rivers with very rough waters identical to the conditions prevailing in River Kunhar in Kaghan Valley. Rafts are specially made boats of fiber glass or light materials, small in size and meant for a single person ride.

xiii. WINTER SPORTS

There are many winter sports played on snow. It the context of this Master Plan winter sports mean skiing as out door sport and ice-skating as indoor sport. Ice skating domes with adequate space and atmosphere are proposed as a new attraction for tourists in this area.

xiv. ARCHEOLOGICAL SITES

Archeological sites are places of historic and cultural significance, interesting for tourists and mainly consist of excavated ruins and preserved old buildings and monuments.

xv. TRACKING

Scaling hilly areas and mountains on foot for recreation purpose is called tracking. It is generally undertaken to enjoy nature, beauty and flora and fauna.

8. PROPOSED TOURISM FACILITIES8. PROPOSED TOURISM FACILITIES

Various sites have potential for various types of tourist facilities depending on the location, cultural and historical significance, topography and natural environment. Accordingly, various types of tourist facilities are suitable at various locations depending on the expected usefulness of the facility. Pakistan is an islamic country with peculiar cultural and social background, espeicially the tribal values and culture still prevail in Hazara Region. Therefore, certain tourism facilities like bars serving liqour, discos and night life are totally non existent nor have any prospects to flourish in near future. Furthermore, Pakistan including its northern areas is economically a developing nation with limited budgetary allocations to provide lavish and extensive infrastructure facilities to offer to its people as well as to the tourists. Hence a very realistic approach has been adopted while making various proposals in this Master Plan. Within the above context, the following tourist facilities have been considered for this purpose.

i. Hotelii. Moteliii. Tourist Hosteliv. Restaurantv. Picnic Spotsvi. Roadside Facilityvii. Tourist Facilitation Centreviii. Cable Car/ Chair Liftix. Camping Sitex. Fishingxi. Boatingxii. Rafting

xiii. Winter Sportsxiv. Archeological Sitesxv. Tracking

Following are the proposed locations suitable to provide the above tourist facilities by district. The provision of these facilities in terms of number and location have been guided mainly by the existing demand and also the anticipated demand at the end of the next 10 years (the plan period), when the tourist traffic is likely to increase by at least five folds, as a result of the vigorous promotion and development phases carried out by STC.

8.1 HARIPUR DISTRICT

Traditionally, a part of the Abbottabad District, Haripur has been recently established as a separate district of Hazara Division. Haripur is the first major settlement after Hasanadal where the (KKH) Karakoram Highman starts its long journey all the way up to Gilgit and across the international border in to China. KKH, therefore plays a significant role in the economy of the district. The district is rich in terms of historic and cultural land marks and ruins . Sarkari Bagh, Sarai Saleh, Manikrai, Jholian towards Taxila and Hari Snigh Fort are some of the places of archeological interest. Haripur was perhaps named after the Sikh ruler Hari Singh in the olden days.

There are two major water bodies located in the district, the huge and gigantie Tarbela Lake on River Indus and the relatively smaller Khanpur Lake on River Harro. Both of them were created as a result of the construction of dams for the purpose of irrigation as well

electricity generation.

Being located in close vicinity of the national captial of Ialamabad in the south-east and the divisional headquater of Abbottabad where several tourist facilities are available and also keeping in view the transit role of Haripur for KKH , no hotels, motel or restaurants are proposed to be located in Haripur. The already existing resturants are envisaged to be sufficient to meet the future demand. However, being the gateway of KKH and the whole of Hazara Division, it is proposed to locate a Tourist Facilitation Centre at Haripur, preferably in the outskirts of the city along the KKH. The small settlement of Darvesh is an adequate location for this purpose. A road side facility is also proposed at Dingi to cater for the needs of the commuters and travellers on KHH.

A road takes off from the KKH after Haripur city to Ghora Gali. Another road side facility is proposed to be located on this road near a settlement called Maqsooda, to provide basic facilities to the tourists travelling to the hill stations of Murree and Galiyat.

Terbela Dam is one of the biggest earthan dams in the world and the bigggest in Pakistan . The lake formed as a result of this dam is stretched over many square kilometers. The left bank of the Dam as well as the lake are located within Haripur District, and during the high water level, the banks of the lake get close to Haripur city, at a distance of 5 to 6 kilometers only. The water flowing down from the gigantic spillway presents an impressive and interesting scene. Many people visit the site to enjoy the spillway scene. There are many

potential spots arround the lake for picnic, boating and fishing. The lake attracts many visitors on week ends and during hloidays. It is proposed to provide these facilities in a more organized and formal manner. A restaurant, a picnic spot together with boating and fishing facilities have been proposed at adequate locations around the lake. The spillway is an extermely suitable location to provide a cable car or chairlift.

Mang have also been identified as potential location to be developed as a picnic spot. By virtue of its location, fishing and boating facilities have also been proposed at Mang.

The new and planned township of Khalabat is located not far from the lake side. It offers a great deal of opportinity to be developed as tourist spot . A picnic spot is proposed to be developed here together with a resturant to cater for the needs of the tourist.

Similar to Terbela, Khanpur Dam is another potential tourist spot. A resturant , a picnic spot together with fishing and boating facilities have been proposed to be located at Khanpur.

A brief summary of the tourist facilities proposed in Haripur District is as follows, and also shown in Fig.5-A.

A. Resturants= 3

i) Tarbelaii) Khanpuriii) Khalabat

B. Roadside Facilities= 2

i) Dingiii) Ghora Gali Road

C. Picnic spots= 4

i) Tarbelaii) Khanpuriii) Khalabativ) Mang

D. Tourist Facilitation Centre= 1

i) Haripur

E. Cable Car= 1

i) Tarbela

F. Fishing= 3

i) Tarbelaii) Khanpuriii) Mang

G. Boating= 3

i) Tarbelaii) Khanpuriii) Mang

H. Archeological Sitesi) Sarkari Baghii) Sarai Sarlehiii) Manikraiiv) Jholian

v) Hari Singh Fort

Table-1: Proposed Tourist Facilities in Haripur District by Location and Type of Facility

Restaurant Road side facility

Picnic spot

Tourist Facilitation Center

Cable car

Fishing Boating

Tarbela 1 - 1 - 1 1 1

Khan pur 1 - 1 - - 1 1

Khalabat 1 - 1 - - - -

Dingi - 1 - - - - -

Ghora Gali Road - 1 - - - - -

Mang - - 1 - - 1 1

Hari pur - - - 1 - - -

Total 3 2 4 1 1 3 3

Fig.5-A:

8.2 ABBOTTABAD DISTRICT.

The admisistrative headquarter of the Hazara District, Abbottabad is the largest urban settlement located along the KKH. Abbotabad enjoys a pleasent climate which is the main reason that a number of good qnality education institutions are located here. The most significant aspect of abbottabad is its cantornment which covers more then 70 percent of its built up area. Pakistan Military Acadomy (PMA) is also located at nearby Kakul. Ayub Medical complex is another sngnifict activity located at Abbottabad. KKH passes almost through Abbottabad and acts as its major life line .

There are a number of hotels and restaurants in Abbottabad which are located along KKH to cater for the needs of the tourists as well as the visitors. A Tourist Information Centre is also located and operated by PTDC. However, the performance of this centre is much below the expectations. It only operates during office working hours and during the working days of the week. Whereas, the tourists during the season have no fixed times to arrive at Abbottabad or to pass through it. The location of this centre is also not very prominent. It is suggested to provide at least 2 more hotels, one motel, one Tourist Hostel and a Tourist Facilitation Centre at Abbottabad to cater for the present as well as future needs. Additionally, it is planned to provide a Camping Ground to supplement the future demand for accommidation. Abbottabad offers an execllent location to provide indoor winter sports, an lce Skating Dome is therefore proposed to be located at Abbottabad.

Shimla Hill in Abbottabad is already an established picnic spot. It is proposed to further strengthen this activity by locating a restaurant here. Nawan Shehr is another potential spot known for its springs which provides most of the drinking water to Abbottabad . A picnic spot is proposed to be developed at Nawan Shehr. A road turns west from Abbottabad and leads up to another beautiful hill top known as sherwan. Keeping in view its location ,distance from Abbottabad and number of expected visitors, a road side facility is thought to be sufficient for sherwam.

Thandiani is a well known and established hill station located in the vicinity of Abbottabad. A road from Dhamtour after a steep aseend takes to the top of the hill. The surroundings are green, beautiful and covered with thick forests. A motel is very much required to be located at Thandani. A cable car is also proposed here due to its adequate topograpy and location . It is also proposed to locate a Dome for inside winter sports including Ice Skating at Thandiani. The natural environment and topography of Thandiani offer excellent trecking routes. It is proposed to develop an adequate trecking route for this purpose .

GULLIYAT.

Gulliyat area located in the east of Abbottabad is already an established tourist area where a large number of tourists come throughout the year. It is comprised of a number of small setllements known a Galis with Nathiagali as the centrre .The road from Abbottabad to Gulliyat connects all these settlements and leads upto

Murree the most famous Hill station in Pakistan.

Based on the enormous potential, Gulliyat has been considered as a special case and tourist facilities have been proposed after careful study. A number of facilities including hotels, motels and restaurants already exist in Gulliyat, most of them at Nathia Gali which is also the summer capital of NWFP . STC has recently taken possession of few tourist huts called chelets for the purpose of tourism development in the area.

The proposals made in this Master Plan include the provision of at least one more hotel, one tourist hostel and one motel at Nathiagali. A Tourist Facilities Centre is also proposed to be located at Nathiagali being the centre of Gulliyat Area. Nathia gali is also a suitable place for cable car which can be intergrated with already existing facilities at Ayubia and Patriata in Punjab. A Dome for winter sports will be an added attraction for Nathiagali. The environment and topography very much suggest the provision of at least 4 trecking routes in addition to the already existing ones.

As a matter of fact, the whole if Gulliyat is full of potential to be developed for tourism. Spots of natural beauty are scattered all around in abundance. The road section from Bara Gali to Khaira Gali is full of thick forests and views of natural beauty. It is proposed to plan and develop at least 5 picnic spots on locations including Changla Gali, Bara Gali, Kala Bagh, Dunga Gali and Khaira Gali. Road side facilities are also proposed to be located at Bara Gali, Kalabagh, Dunga Gali, and Khauira Gali. A road from Gulliyat leads to Azad Kashmir through

Kohala. It is proposed to provide a roadside facility at an appropriate location along this road.

Following is the summery of the proposals made for Abbottabad District is terms of various tourist facilities, which are also shown in Fig.5-B.

A. Hotel = 3i) Abbottabadii) Abbotabadiii) Nathiagali

B. Motel = 4i) Abbottabadii) Nathiagaliiii) Ayubiaiv) Thandrani

Fig.5-B:

C. Tourist Hostel = 2i) Abbottabadii) Nathia Gali

D. Restaurant = 2i) Abbottabadii) Changlagali

E. Road Side Facility = 6i) Bara Galiii) Kalabaghiii) Durga Galiiv) Khania Galiv) Kohala Roadvi) Sherwari

F. Picnic Spots= 6

i) Abbottabadii) Changlagliiii) Baragaliiv) Kalabaghv) Durga Galivi) Khaira Gali

G. Tourist Facilities Centre=2

i) Abbottabadii) Nathiagali

H. Cable Car =2

i) Nathiagaliii) Thandiani

I. Camping Ground =2

i) Abbottabadii) Nathiagali

J. Trecking Routes =4

i) Nathiagaliii) Nathiagaliiii) Nathiagaliiv) Thandiai

K. Winter sports =3

i) Abbottabadii) Nathiagaliiii) Thandain

L. Archeological Sitesi) Dhamtourii) Ilyasi Mosque

Table 2: Proposed Tourist Facilities in Abbottabad District by Location and Type of Facility

Hotel

Motel

Tourist Hostel

Restaurant

Roadside Facility

Picnic Spot

Tourist Facilitation Centre

Cable Car

Camping Ground

Tracking

Winter Sports

Abbottabad

2 1 1 1 - 1 1 - 1 - 1

Nathiagali 1 1 1 - - - 1 1 1 3 1

Thandians - 1 - - - - - 1 - 1 1

Ayubia - 1 - - - - - - - - -

Changla Gali

- - - 1 - 1 - - - - -

Bara Gali - - - - 1 1 - - - - -

Kalabagh - - - - 1 1 - - - - -

Dunga Gali

- - - - 1 1 - - - - -

Khaira Gali

- - - - 1 1 - - - - -

Kohala Road

- - - - 1 - - - - - -

Sherwan - - - - 1 - - - - - -

Total 3 4 2 2 6 6 2 2 2 4 3

8.3 MANSEHRA DISTRICTThe main areas of tourist activity at present are seen along the KKH and the beautiful Kaghan Valley which forms the north -eastern part of the District. There are several places of interest for tourists in and around Mansehra city including ruins of old Gandhara civilization and the beautiful scecnic locations.

The road from Abbottabad to Mansehra offers exciting secnes of natural beauty. Qalandarabad and Ghazikot Township are potenial spots to be developed into picnic areas. Mansehra city itself has many attractions for the tourists. Ashoka rocks and an old building in main bazar which is presently used as CIA police post, are worth to mention. The village of Gandhian, ruins at Shinkiari, Zar Dheri, Guli Bagh and old Turkish graveyard at Baffa are other place of interest. Mansehra city offers many facilities to the tourists including hotels and resturants. However, it is proposed to add at least one more hotel to cater for the future needs. As Mansehra is also the gateway to Khaghan Valley it is proposed to locate a Tourist Facilities Centre here.

Moving along the KKH Icchrian, Baffa, Shinkiari, and Chattarplain are potential areas. It is proposed to develop picnic spots at Icchrian, Battal and chattarplain , whereas roadside facilities should be provided at Baffa, Shinkiari and Battal. A motel is also proposed to be located at Chattar plain.

Dadar was once a beautiful valley full of thick forests. The wood cutting activity which has taken place unabated in this valley has deprived it of its beauty . However, it still remanis an attraction of

natural beauty . It is proposed to provide picnic spots at Jabori, an important settlement of the valley and at Sultan Gali, which is located at relatively high altitude. Being located along KKH, Shinkiari is an appropriate location to provide camping facilities which will also serve the Dadar Valley. Another camping facility is proposed to be located at Chattar plain, an execllent location for this purpose.A road from Mansehra after crossing a mountain rounge meets River Kunhar at Garhi Habib Ullah and leads in to the Kaghan Valley through Balakot. The whole stretch of road is full of natural and scenic beauty that one feels extremely difficult to choose among the alternate sites . However , it is proposed to provide one picnic spot on a suitable spot where the Icchar Canal crosses the main road. A road sides facility is also proposed to be located here. Another picnic spot is proposed at Batrasi which has considurable potential due to its natural surrounds. It is also proposed to provide a motel here to provide accommedation for night stays. A road side facility is proposed at a location close to a settlement called Atar Shishah.

This road meets River Kunhar at Garhi Habib Ullah which is also the junction of the road to Muzaffarabad in Azad Kashmir. It is proposed to locate a roadside facility at Garhi Hbib Ullah. From here the road runs along River Kunhar throughout in Kaghan valley. Between Garhi Habib Ullah and Balakot, a place called Hassa is a potential beautiful spot. A picnic spot along the river together with a roadside facility are proposed to be located here.

Balakot is the first and the largest settlement of Kaghan Valley, which is located at the entrance of the valley. The city already offers a

number of facilities including hotels and resturants. Most tourists have to stay in Balakot if they can not reach Kaghan or Naran during the safe hours of the day or if the road is closed due to land sliding. In order to meet the future demand, it is proposed to provide at least one hotel in Balakot, a tourist hostel, a motel and a restaurant. Balakot is also suitable for fishing in River Kunhar. It is proposed to develop appropriate fishing facilities in the vicinity. Balakot is also famous for its historic monuments. The tombs of Syed Ahmad Shaheed and Syed Ismail Shaheed, the two freedom fighters who were martyred in 1857 are burried here.

KAGHAN VALLEY

Stretching from Balakot to the Babusar Pass, for a distance of about 161 kilometers the famous Khaghan Valley is already a popular destination for many tourists . The valley has several attractive places of natural and scenic beauty. River Kunhar runs in the centre of the narrow valley, while the main road runs along the river . From Kiwai a road turns into the small valley of Shogran. It is proposed to provide a roadside facility at Kiwai. A recently built Tourist Information Centre needs to be upgraded into a Tourist Facilities Centre in order to provide a wide range of services to the tourists, especially to the Shogran area. Shogran is an awfully beautiful place surrounded by the green thick forests and abundace of wild life. The famous Manur and Malkandi forests with centuries old trees are located near by with the famous peaks of Siri and Paya. Many tourist facilities are fast comming up in Shogran but in an unplanned fashion. It is proposed to provide

at least one hotel and one motel at Shogran to cater for the future needs of the tourists, together with an adequate camping area. It is also proposed to provide a picnic spot at an adequate location in Shogan. In order to further enhance the attraction of this place, a cable car is also proposed to be located here. The natural enviroment of Shogran is most suitable for trecking. It is proposed to plan and develop a trecking route in Shogran. As said carlier, Malkandi forest has tremendous tourist attraction, therefore, it is proposed to provide a picnic spot there and also a restaurant to cater for the tourists.

Sheran is another beautiful location on the other side of the River Kunhar. It is located on a high altitude, and is surrounded by thick forests. A motel is proposed to be located at Sheran. A picnic spot is also proposed to add to the beauty of the area. Sheran is also suitable for trecking, therefore a trecking route is proposed to be located here.

Moving on towards Kaghan from Kiwai, Khanian is a beautiful spot with interesting natural setting beside the river. It is proposed to provide a picnic spot here with a roadside facility to cater for the visitors.

After a long and interesting journey, one reaches at Kaghan, the main settlement in the valley. The town of Kaghan provides many facilities to the tourists including hotels, police station and few government offices. In addition to the existing facilities, it is proposed to provide at least one more hotel at Kaghan and also one motel. Being the main centre of the valley , a Tourist Facilitation Centre is also proposed at Kaghan.

Although Kaghan is a major settlement of the valley, most tourists like to reach at and stay in Naran located further in north on the main road. Many tourist facilities including hotels, motels, restaurants, camping grounds etc. are presently available at Naran. In order to meet the future demand and to enhance the future role of Naran as a centre of tourist activities, it is proposed to provide two more hotels, one tourist hostel, one motel, one restaurant and an additional camping site in Naran. It is also proposed to provide fishing facilities at suitable locations along River Kunhar at Naran.

The challenging sport of rafting is common at many places in the world including the United State and some countries in Europe. The conditions in River Kunhar are most suitable for this game, which however, requires special arrangements to be made. Summer is the best season for this game. It is proposed to hold rallies/competitions of rafting on annual / seasonal basis.

The most attractive place in the whole of Kaghan valley is certainly the magical Lake Saiful Muluk, located at a distance of about 6 kilometers from Naran towards the east.the consultants have prepared a separate proposal for the development of rest and recreation facilities at the Lake which include double storey four unit villas, restaurant, camping ground, parking, recreation park and other support facilities to be located at an appropriate place by the side of the lake . A cable car is also proposed as an alternate access to the lake.

Moving on towards north, the main road takes to Batakundi, a small settlement located by the road side. Lalazar is a beautiful and attractive spot here and many tourists like to visit it during the season. It is in fact a natural picnic spot. A camping site is proposed to be developed at Lalazar with a roads side facility to cater for the needs of the visitors.

Basal is the next settlement along the main road. Two beautiful small lakes of tremendous attraction are located in its vicinity. One of them is known as Lulupat sar. Presently no facility exists in the area. It is proposed to provide a motel at Basal as well as a camping site at an adequate location. Tracking from Basal to Dudupat Sar, the other beautiful lake is an exciting experience. It is strongly recommended to provide appropriate access to the lake.

The tourist facilities proposed in Mansehra district have been summarized as follows, and shown in Fig.5-C and Fig.5-D.

A. Hotel = 7i) Mansehraii) Balakotiii) Shograniv) Kaghanv) Naranvi) Lake Saiful Muluk

Fig.5-C

Fig.5-D

B. Motel = 8i) Balakotii) Shograniii) Kaghaniv) Naranv) Batrasivi) Baselvii) Chattar Planviii) Sheran

C. Tourist Hostel =2

i) Balakotii) Naran

D. Restaurant =4

i) Balakotii) Naraniii) Malkandiiv) Batakundi

E. Road Side Facilities =10

i) Iechar Canalii) Atar Shishahiii) Garhi Habib Ullahiv) Hassa

v) Kiwaivi) Khanianvii) Lalazarviii) Baffaix) Shinkiarix) Battal

F. Picnic spot = 14i) Shogranii) Batrasiiii) Chattar Planiv) Sheranv) Malakandivi) Icchar Canalvii) Hassaviii) Khanianix) Battalx) Qalandarabadxi) Ghazikotxii) Jaborixiii) Iccharianxiv) Sultan Gali

G. Tourist Facilitation Centre =3

i) Mansehraii) Kaghaniii) Kiwai

H. Cable Car = 2i) Shogranii) Lake Saiful Muluk

I. Camping Ground =7

i) Shogranii) Naraniii) Lake Saiful Mulukiv) Besalv) Chattar Plainvi) Lalazarvii) Shinkiari

J. Tracking Routes =4

i) Shogranii) Baseliii) Sheraniv) Sultan Gali

K. Fishing =2

i) Balakotii) Naran

L. Rafting =1

i) Naran

M. Archeological Sitesi) Historic Building at Mansehra

ii) Ashoka Parkiii) Baffaiv) Gandhianv) Zar Dherivi) Guli Bagh

Table 3. Proposed Tourist Facilities in Mansehra District by Location and Type of Facility

Hotels

Motel

Tourist Hostels

Restaurants

Roadside Facility

Picnic spots

Tourist Facilitation Centre

Cable Car

Camping

Tracking

Mansehra 1 - - - - - - - - -

Balakot 1 1 1 1 - - - - - -

Shogran 1 1 - - - 1 - 1 1 1

Kaghan 1 1 - - - - 1 - - -

Naran 2 2 1 1 - - 1 - 1 -

Lake Saiful. M

1 1 - - - - - 1 1 -

Batrasi - - - - - 1 - - - -

Basel - - - - - - - - 1 1

Chattar plain

- - - - - 1 - - 1 -

Sheran - - - - - 1 - - - 1

Malkandi - - - 1 - 1 - - - -

Battakundi - - - 1 - - - - - -

Icchar Canal

- - - - 1 1 - - - -

Atar Shishah

- - - - 1 - - - - -

Garhi Habib Ullah

- - - - 1 - - - - -

Hassa - - - - 1 1 - - - -

Kiwai - - - - 1 - 1 - - -

Khanian - - - - 1 1 - - - -

Lalazar - - - - 1 - - - 1 -

Baffa - - - - 1 - - - - -

Shinkiari - - - - 1 - - - 1 -

Battal - - - - 1 1 - - - -

Qalandarbad

- - - - - 1 - - - -

Ghazikot - - - - - 1 - - - -

Jabori - - - - - 1 - - - -

Icchrian on KKH

- - - - - 1 - - - -

Sultan Gali - - - - - 1 - - - 1

Total 7 8 2 4 10 14 3 2 7 4

8.4 BATAGRAM DISTRICT

Recently established district of Batagram was previously a part of the Mansehra District. KKH is the main activity area of the district which is other wise comprised of mainly barren hills. There are not many places of tourism attraction in Batagram except the KKH itself. It is proposed to provide a restaurant at Batagram and another one at an appropriate location before Alaii. A picnic spot is also proposed to be located here. Thakot bridge is a fascinating site located across River Indus. A road side facility is proposed to be located beside the bridge to cater for the needs of the travellers. The location is also suitable to provide a picnic spot here. Old ruins of Batagram are certainly an attraction for the visitors which should be exposed and made accessible. The tourist facilities proposed in Batagram District are follows, which are also shown in Fig.5-E.

A. Restaurant = 2i) Batagramii) Alaii

B. Roadside Facility = 1i) Thakot Bridge

C. Picnic spots = 2i) Alaiiii) Thakot Bridge

Fig.5-E

Table 4: Proposed Tourist Facilities in Batagram District by location and Type of Facility

RESTAURANT ROADSIDE FACILITIES PICNIC SPOT

Batagram 1 - -

Alaii 1 - 1

Thakot Bridge ................ TOTAL

- .......... 2

1 ................... 1

1 ............ 2

8.5 KOHISTAN DISTRICT

This is the largest district of Hazara Division in terms of area and perhaps the smallest in terms of population, which is all scattered within the few narrow and mostly inaccessible valleys which are surrounded by the world's highest mountain ranges. It occupies the northern most part of the division and is totally a rural region, with no urban settlement. Most of Kohistan consists of barren mountains with little vegetation. Dassu is the only settlement with some hundred houses located along the KKH, which is the main road passing through the area. River Indus flows along the road. Pattan is another settlement which is relatively larger in size.

While travelling on KKH, Kohistan starts after crossing Indus from Thakot bridge. The road then touches Shangla District of Malakand Division and passes through Besham of Shangla, where a number of tourist facilities including hotels and restaurants are already existing. A PTDC Motel is also located at Besham. Besham actually acts as an important transit station for the traffic on KKH. Pattan of Kohistan is located next to Besham. It is proposed to provide a motel at Pattan, which is also a cantonment. Few hotel and restaurant facilities already exist in Dassu located next to Pattan and an important settlement before Chilas of Gilgit Agency. An additional hotel facility is proposed for Dassu to cater for the future needs of the tourists travelling on KKH to the Norther Areas. Although Jalkot Valley and Harban Valley have been identified as potential sites, it is not proposed to locate any facility there due to the limited potential, lack of services and security purposes.

Following facilities are therefore proposed to be located in Kohistan.A. Hotel : 1

i) DassuB. Motel : 1

i) PattanTable 5: Proposed Tourist Facilities in Kohistan District by Location and Type of Facility.

HOTEL MOTEL

Dassu 1 -

Pattan - 1

TOTAL 1 1

It is worth to mention here that recently old ruins have been discovered in Kohistan area near the settlement of Pattan which gained national fame when by chance an old lady found a golden bracelet weighing as much as 45 kilograms. The place has potential for further excavations to unearth more ruins and relics to gain considerable tourism potential for the district.

9. PROPOSED INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS.9. PROPOSED INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS.

The experience has revealed the fact that rational development is necessarily based on integrated development. Development of a particular sector needs a great deal of integration with the development in a number of other sectors. Similarly, tourism development can not be achieved in isolation and separation from sectors including transportation and other basic urban services. A tourism attraction with a great deal of potential is useless if not accessible to the tourists, and same is the case with other basic urban services like availability of drinking water, adequate sewerage system, electricity, telephone etc.

With an aim to make this Master Plan more comprehensive and practical, the existing infrastructure facilities have been assessed in order to identify the deficiencies within the context of the proposals made for the development of various tourism facilities in the previous chapter. These proposed infrastructure facilities are also shown in Fig.6-A, B, C, D, E and Fig.6-F.

9.1 ROADS

9.1.1Haripur District

Haripur district has excellent road links with rest of the country through KKH and G.T. Road from Hasanabdal. A good quality road network exists within the district linking various important locations of tourism interest. All the tourist facilities proposed in Haripur District

are linked with KKH through good quality all weather access roads. The archeological sites of Sarkari Bagh, Sarai Saleh, Manikrai, Jholain and Hari Singh Fort are also easily accessible, therefore no new road project or major improvement to existing roads have been proposed.

9.1.2Abbottabad District

Abbottabad District is also served by good quality communication network including roads and a regular commercial helicopter service by PIA between Abbottabad and Islamabad. KKH is the major regional highway, whereas Abbottabad Nathiagali Murree Road is another important road link.

Most of the tourist facilities proposed in Abbottabad are located in close vicinity to each other and are accessible by road. Abbottabad- Nathiagali road is presently being improved/ upgraded and the work is in progress. Once the work on this road is completed the whole of Gullyiat will get an excellent links both with Abbottabad on the one end and Murree on the other.

Road to Thandiani is also of reasonable quality, however needs

periodic maintenance, which is a routine work for the Highway Department. Road to Sherwan in the west is also of reasonable quality requiring only routine maintenance works. Therefore no new road project or any major road improvement is proposed in Abbottabad District.

9.1.3Mansehra District

Mansehra District is also served by KKH and most places of tourist potential including archeological sites are located along KKH. However, road in Dadar valley needs improvement and upgrading upto Jabori from Shinkiari. A road section from Baffa to Guli Bagh also needs improvement.

Road linking Mansehra with Balakot passing through Batrasi

and Garhi Habib Ullah is going through improvement and the

work is already in progress. Road from Balakot to the end of

Kaghan valley, however, needs major improvement work to

cater for the future needs. It is proposed to upgrade the

Balakot-Naran section to a 2-lane single carriageway road

with improved turning design. The road from Naran to Bassel

also needs to be improved as a single lane single carriage

way all weather road.

Road leading to Shogran from Kiwai is presently undergoing

major improvement work, but an approach from Shogran to

Malkandi needs to be provided. Similarly, road section from

Paras to Sheran also requires major improvement and

upgrading.

Some kind of road improvement work on the Naran - Lake

Saiful Muluk is already in progress upto some distance where

the glacier is lying. The work needs to be completed right

upto the lake. This project component is however, covered

under a separate study for Lake Saiful Muluk taken by the

consultants.

Following road projects have been identified in Mansehra

District

A) New Road Projects

i) Shogran-Malkandi

B) Road Improvement Project

i) Shinkiari-Jabori

ii) Baffa-Guli Bagh

iii) Balakot-Naran

iv) Naran-Bassel

v) Naran-Lake Saiful Muluk

vi) Paras-Sheran

9.1.4 Batagram District

The few tourism facilities proposed in Batagram District are

all located along KKH, therefore have no accessibility

problem as such. The only place in need of the road

connection is the recreation area proposed near Alaii. An

all weather new road link is proposed here.

Road projects identified in Batagram District are as

follows.

A) New Road Projects

i) Batagram-Alaii

B) Road Improvement Projects

i) None.

9.1.5 Kohistan District

Similar to Batagram, the proposed tourist facilities in

Kohistan are all located along the KKH, therefore have no

accessibility problem. The ruins where the 45 kilogram

golden bracelet was discovered, however needs to be made

accessible if the archeology department decides to carry out

further excavation and make it a tourist point. This will

certainly require a new road section to be built.

9.2 WATER SUPPLY

9.2.1 Haripur District

As all the proposed tourist facilities are located close to

an existing settlement where water is available, therefore

no major water projects have been proposed in Haripur . At

few places where the network needs extension to the specific

sites, the actual work will be identified and estimated at

the time of project designing, therefore, no major works are

identified at this stage.

9.2.2 Abbottabad District

All the proposed tourist facilities proposed in Abbottabad

district are concentrated in Abbottabad city and in Gulliyat

area within or near the existing human settlements.

Thandiani and Sherwan are the only isolated locations. Water

is supplied to these settlement on local basis and there

is no shortage of drinking water, therefore no projects have

been identified in this regard.

9.2.3 Mansehra District

Similar to Abbottabad , all the proposed tourist facilities

in Mansehra District are located within or close to a human

settlement where adequate drinking water is available from

alternate sources. However, specific sites proposed to be

developed as tourist facility will be supplied from a

nearby sources which will become a part of the detailed

design of the tourist facilities if and when it is required.

The isolated locations of Chatter Plain, Jabori, Sharan,

Malkandi, Batakundi, Lalazar, Lake Saiful Muluk and Besal

require adequate water supply schemes to serve the tourist

facilities provided respectively for each one of them,

either in terms of major improvement/extension of the

existing network or the provision of new schemes.

Therefore, water supply schemes for Mansehra District are as

follows.

A) New Water Supply Schemes

i) Chattar Plain

ii) Malakandi

iii) Lalazar

iv) Lake Saiful Muluk

B) Improvement/extension of the Existing Network

i) Jabori

ii) Sheran

iii) Batakindi

iv) Basel

9.2.4 Batagram District

The few tourist facilities proposed in Batagram District are

located at Batagram town and near Alaii. While Batagram

town has adequate water supply, the proposed restaurant and

the picnic spot proposed at Alaii will need some source of

water supply.

A) New Water Supply Schemes

i) Alaii

9.2.5 Kohistan District

The tourist facilities of Kohistan are proposed to be

located at Dassu and Pattan, both having adequate water

supply system therefore no new project has been identified.

9.3 SEWERAGE

Availability of the sewerage facility has been considered

only to the locations where hotels, motels and restaurants

have been proposed and they include as follows:

9.3.1 Haripur District

No hotel or motel facility has been proposed in Haripur

district. Restaurants have been proposed at Tarbela, Khanpur

and Khalabat. Localized sewerage schemes for these sites

will need to be developed as an integral part of the

individual design of each location, therefore no major

scheme is proposed for Haripur District.

9.3.2 Abbottabad District

All proposed hotels, motels and restaurants are proposed to

be located at Abbottabad, Nathiagali, Ayubia and Changla

Gali. Abbottabad and Nathiagali already have sewerage

disposal systems, whereas Ayubia and Changla Gali are both

hilly areas where sewerage disposal can be carried out

without providing a major disposal network. Therefore no

sewerage system has been proposed for Abbottabad District.

9.3.3 Mansehra District

All the hotels, motels and restaurants in Mansehra District

are proposed to be located at Mansehra, Balakot, Shogran,

Kaghan, Naran, Sheran, Lake Saiful Muluk, Batrasi, Chatter

plain, Batakundi and Besal. Some kind of sewage disposal

system already exist at Mansehra, Balakot, Kaghan and Naran.

However, appropriate arrangements need to be made for

Shogran, Sheran, Lake Saiful Muluk, Batakundi, Basel,

Batrasi and Chattar Plain.

Therefore the sewerage schemes identified is Mansehra

District are as follows.

A) New Sewerage Schemes

i) Shogran

ii) Sheran

iii) Lake Saiful Muluk

iv) Batakndi

v) Basel

vi) Batrasi

vii) Chattar Plain

B) Improvement of Existing Sewerage Network

i) Mansehra

ii) Balakot

iii) Kaghan

iv) Naran

9.3.4 Batagram District

No sewerage system proposed for Batagram District.

9.3.5 Kohistan District

No sewerage system proposed for Kohistan District.

9.4 SOLID WASTE COLLECTION AND DISPOSAL

Solid waste collection and disposal is an important

municipal facility with respect to the general cleanliness

and healthy environment. This is one of the most crucial

environmental issue which has been generally and grossly

neglected. It has also been mentioned as a serious problem

by a large number of foreign tourists interviewed as part of

this study. Most urban settlements either have no system

at all or the prevailing systems are extremely inefficient.

It is therefore proposed to established efficient and

effective solid waste collection and disposal systems at all

the proposed tourism facilities.

9.4.1 Haripur

Both Haripur and Khalabat have existing systems carried out

by the local agencies which need improvement. New

arrangements need to be made at Tarbela, Khanpur and Mang.

A. New Areas:

i. Tarbela

ii. Khanpur

iii. Mang

B. Improvement Areas:

i. Haripur

ii. Khalabat

9.4.2 Abbottabad District

Abbottabad, Thandiani and the settlements in Gulliyat have

existing systems for solid waste collection and disposal.

However, all these settlements need major improvement in

their functions and level of service to meet the future

demand.

Improvement Areas:

All existing settlements in Gulliyat Area

9.4.3 Mansehra District

Almost all the settlements where tourist facilities have

been proposed have some sort of formal or informal system

for the collection and disposal of soiled waste. However,

all of them invariably require varying degrees of

improvement both in area coverage as well as the level of

service.

A. New Areas:

i. Lake Saiful Muluk

ii. Lalazar

iii. Batakundi

iv. Basel

v. Lake Lulupat

vi. Lake Dudupat

B. Improvement Areas:

All existing settlements

9.4.4 Batagram District

The existing system at Batagram town needs improvement.

9.4.5 Kohistan District

The existing systems both at Pattan and Dassu need

improvements.

9.5. ELECTRICITY

Electricity is one of the basic necessities of modern day

life. As a matter of fact it is a sign of life in any human

settlements. Electricity to most major urban settlements in

the Division is supplied through the national WAPDA grid

system. It is also locally generated through small hydel

power generators or thermal power plants.

9.5.1 Haripur District

All proposed tourist facilities in Haripur are located

around settlements where power supply is available,

therefore no electrification project is proposed.

9.5.2 Abbottabad District

All proposed tourist facilities in Abbottabad are located

around settlements where power supply is available,

therefore no electrification project is proposed.

9.5.3 Mansehra District

All proposed tourist facilities in Mansehra are located

around settlements where power supply is available,

therefore no electrification project is proposed. However,

small scale thermal power generation is proposed for the new

development around Lake Saiful Muluk, Batakandi and Basel.

9.5.4 Batagram District

All proposed tourist facilities in Batagram are located

around settlements where power supply is available,

therefore no electrification project is proposed.

9.5.5 Kohistan District

All proposed tourist facilities in Kohistan are located

around settlements where power supply is available,

therefore no electrification project is proposed.

9.6 TELEPHONE

Like electricity, telephone is also a basic urban

necessity . It becomes more important in case of

emergencies, as most domestic tourists like to stay in touch

with their families, friends ,relatives and business concern

during their vacations. Availability of the telephone

facility for the purpose of this Master Plan is considered

only for places where hotel and motel facilities are

proposed.

9.6.1 Haripur District

Both Haripur and Khalabat are well connected with other

cities through the nation wide dialing system. All proposed

tourist facilities are located within easy access of

Haripur, therefore no additional proposals has been made.

9.6.2 Abbottabad District

All hotel and motel facilities proposed in Abbottabad

District are located either in Abbottabad city or Gulliyat

area, and both have good telecommunication network with the

rest of the country, therefore no additional proposal have

been made in this regard.

9.6.3 Mansehra District

The proposed hotel and motel facilities are mostly

concentrated in Mansehra, Balakot, Shogran, Kaghan and

Naran. While Mansehra is the only city connected with

nationwide direct dialing system, all other locations are

extremely deficient in this respect. Only single line

telephone exchange are located at other places which are

connected through Mansehra and that also only during the

normal working hours which extend from 8.00 a.m to 2.00 pm.

It is strongly proposed to provide telephone exchange

facilities both at Balakot and Kaghan to provide better

telecommunication network in the Kaghan Valley.

9.6.4 Batagram District

Presently Batagram is connected to Mansehra for

telecommunication links with rest of the country. A

telephone exchange of adequate lines is required in order

to have an easy and direct link.

9.6.5 Kohistan District

Presently Kohistan is connected to Mansehra for

telecommunication link with rest of the country. A telephone

exchange of adequate lines is required to be located at

Dassu in order to have an easy and direct link.

Fig.6-A

Fig.6-B

Fig.6-C

Fig.6-D

Fig.6-E

Fig.6-F

10. PROPOSED CIVIC AMENITIES10. PROPOSED CIVIC AMENITIES

Civic amenities essential for tourism activities include

appropriate security arrangements (police) , post offices,

Health Facilities, Banks and Shopping Areas. Each one of

them has been discussed separately as under, and shown in

Fig.7-A, B, C, D, E and Fig.7-F.

10.1 POLICE

Security to the life and belongings of the tourists is one

of the most important factors for the promotion and

development of tourism in any area. Police presence is

essential as a curative as well as preventive measure. The

mere presence of police personnel may avert many untoward

incidents.

Hazara is relatively a safe area in terms of crimes related

to tourists . Not many major crimes involving tourists are

on the record . However, disputes regarding money matters

are common place with hotels and restaurants owners, tour

operators and porters.

There is an adequate network of police security in Hazara

Region in terms of area coverage and level of service. There

are regular police stations, police posts and check posts

located at all strategic locations. In addition to the

existing facilities , it is proposed to provide them at the

following locations in order to ensure the safety of the

tourists.

i. Jabori (Dadar Valley)

ii. Batakundi

iii. Basel

10.2 POST OFFICES

Post Offices are located at almost every settlement in

Hazara Division, including the remote areas. Keeping in view

the existing coverage, level of service and the future

needs, no additional facilities have been proposed for the

area.

10.3 HEALTH FACILITIES

Availability of emergency health care facility readily

available in time is another essential requirement for

tourism activity. A number of health facilities of varying

levels both in public and private sectors are available in

the Division ranging from the biggest medical complex to the

smallest rural health centre. They include District

Headquarter Hospitals, Tahsil Hospitals, Basic Health

Units(BHU) and Rural Health Centers (RHC). Some kind of

basic (fist-aid) health facility is available at most of the

locations where tourist facilities have been proposed to be

located. However, additional health facilities are proposed

to be provided at the following locations:

i) Shogran

ii) Sheran

iii) Lake Saiful Muluk

iv) Batakundi

v) Basel

vi) Jabori (Dadar Valley)

10.4 BANKS

The availability of banking services are another essential

requirement for tourists to exchange the foreign currency,

to encash the travellers cheque and transfer money in case

of the need of extra cash.

Various commercial banks are located in almost all the

important towns and settlements both in urban as well as

rural areas. Additionally, standard hotels also provide

this facility, therefore no additional facilities have been

proposed in the regard.

10.5 SHOPPING AREAS

Two types of shopping are done by the tourists. Firstly, the

shopping of personal items of daily use including toiletries

and eatables. Secondly, tourists like to shop around the

souvenirs reflecting the local culture, customs and

traditions. They mainly include the handicrafts manufactured

locally. The shopping areas of reasonable quality and

variety exist in almost all the major settlements of the

division. Additionally, few shops also exist in the shopping

arcades of standard hotels. Therefore no additional facility

has been proposed in this regard.

Fig.7-A

Fig.7-B

Fig.7-C

Fig.7-D

Fig.7-E

Fig.7-F

11. TRANSPORTATION11. TRANSPORTATION

While the other tourism and tourism related facilities are

more site/location specific, transportation generally and

mostly is considered in a much wider context at national,

regional and local basis. It is therefore studied, analyzed

and proposed as a separate sector of activity.

Transportation in general can be divided into three

categories for the area under study.

- By air

- By rail

- By road

11.1. AIR TRANSPORT

Hazara has so far been relying on the Islamabad and Peshawar

airports for air transport, as air link was not provided to

any place in Hazara. However, a regular commercial flight of

helicopter now operates between Islamabad and Abbottabad.

Keeping in view the alternate modes of rail and road

transport available in Hazara, no specific proposals for air

transport have been made in the Master Plan.

During 1996 a helicopter service was also inaugurated and

operated on experimental basis from Islamabad to the Lake

Saiful Muluk by the name of "STC COPTER SAFARI".

Apparently, the experiment has not brought fruitful results.

While the idea remain valid and economically and

operationally viable, adequate steps to make it successful

should be taken after a through study.

11.2 RAIL TRANSPORT

Pakistan Railways has extended its services upto Havelian in

Abbottabad District. This link is extended on the other side

upto Rawalpindi and the stations which fall on the way are

Wah, Haripur and Taxila. Besides passengers, this section is

also used for goods trains. However, little evidence is

available about tourists using rail as a common mode of

transport, mainly due to the reason that tourists do no

prefer to make a journey break at Havelian to reach

Abbottabad, Mansehra or other tourist destinations in

Hazara, especially when the alternate road transport is

available without any journey break and change of mode.

Keeping in view little potential, no proposal has been made

regarding the rail transport.

11.3 ROAD TRANSPORT

There are commonly two sectors of transport by road, which

are as follows.

a) Private transport

b) Public transport

Various modes of transport available in the region are as

follows.

i) Buses

Buses are operating both in private as well as public

sectors to all the major cities located along KKH. Buses

rented by group of tourists sometimes go as far as to

Kaghan. Bus service is also available in Gulliyat area of

Abbottabad.

ii) Flying Coaches

18 to 20 seater flying coaches, both air conditioned non-

an conditioned also operate along the KKH, Abbottabad-

Gulliyiat Area and Kaghan Valley. They go upto Naran if the

road condition allows.

iii) Suzuki Vans

Suzuki vans are available to commute to the smaller

towns/villages off the main roads in the relatively plain

areas of Hazara.

vi) Jeeps

4- Wheel drive, 8 to 10 seater jeeps operate in the

difficult areas of the Region which include the area from

Naran to Lake Saiful Muluk, Naran to Babusar and into the

Shogran area. The jeeps are hired for a single journey,

around trip or on daily basis. The jeep operators have

formed a Society in Kaghan who looks after the interests of

the jeep operators in terms of rent, timings and operations.

v) Rent-a-Car

Two types of rent-a-car service is available only in the big cities of the Region. One is provided in a formal way through the rent-a-car companies and the other is through the individual car owners stationed at a few designated locations in the cities.

vii) Taxis

Yellow cabs are also available only in the big cities of the Region. In principle they are supposed to be metered, but normally they are not and the fare is negotiated.viii) Rickshaw

Two seater auto rickshaws are available for short journeys

within the urban areas of few major cities. They are also

supposed to be metered but normally the fare is negotiated.

vix) Horses and Mules

In areas where vehicular movement of any sort is not

possible horses and mules are available to carry the goods

and tourists. They normally operate from Naran to Lake

Saiful Muluk and in the area further north from Naran.

11.4 TRANSPORT RELATED PROBLEMS

Although some mode of transport is available at most of

parts of the Region, the whole system needs a great deal of

improvement due to a number of problems, some of them are as

follows.

i) Poor condition of vehicles

The general condition of the buses, coaches or jeeps in

terms of level of service, luxury and comfort is very poor

as compared to those available in Europe or other developing

countries like Thailand, Malaysia and Korea.

ii) Overcrowding

The buses, coaches and almost all modes of transport are

heavily overloaded during the peak tourist reason.

iii) Lack of control on Fares

There is no strict central on the fare practice, especially

by the rented vehicles including private rent-a-car service

and rented jeeps. Taxis and rickshaws also charge exorbitant

fares during the peak tourist season and odd hours of the

day.

iv) Poor condition of Terminal Facilities

The general conditions of the bus/coach terminals and the

wagon/taxi stands are extremely poor.

v) Lack of regular service

The operations generally depend upon the will of the

transporter or the driver and there are no fixed routes or

timings of operation. In some of the remote areas no

transport whatsoever is available after the sun set.

11.5 MASTER PLAN PROPOSALS

Following proposals have been made to improve the tourist

transportation in the Region.

i) Improvement in Private Transport Operations

STC should coordinate with the NWFP Ministry of Transport,

private transporters, tour operators and the drivers

associations to being about radical changes in the existing

transportation system. A more practical policy should be

prepared to give a monitoring role to STC.

ii) STC Tourist Transport

It is strongly recommended for STC to operate a tourist

transport in the Region, comprised of tourist coaches. The

operation should commence with at least 10 coaches owned and

operated by STC. Additional coaches should be rented on

lease from the private sector. A joint venture with the

private transporters can be achieved in which the private

transport can operate under the STC management.

iii) Improvement in Fare Policy

A more rational fare policy should be implemented which

stays stable during all conditions.

iv) Improvement of Terminal

Facilities

Transport terminals should be located at appropriate sites

and general condition of the transport terminals including

waiting areas, toilets and booking offices should be

improved.

12. ENVIRONMENT IMPACT ASSESSMENT12. ENVIRONMENT IMPACT ASSESSMENT

12.1 THE PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT

The Hazara Division comprises of both vast plain areas

surrounded by hills and high mountains with wide valleys.

The plain of Abbottabad is located in between the river

Jehlum and river Indus. Other significant rivers are river

Kunhar and River Siran. There are other numerous channels

and streams flowing within the division which actually are

the tributaries of the big rivers.

The specific topographic features, lofty mountains, green

dense forests, valleys and lakes make this division more

specific case for the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA)

study, as these ecosystems are more fragile to human

activities, including tourism facilities.

In addition, there are some important man-made dams at

Tarbela and Khanpur, where the consultants have proposed a

number of various tourism facilities . Thus, Hazara Division

presents a good case study for EIA, and a proven situation

where an unplanned tourism facility can cause an ecological

disaster, the deforestation of Mansehra is a case in point.

12.2 TOURISM FACILITIES.

A large number of various tourism facilities have been

proposed in this Master Plan to be located at a large number

of sites scattered all over the Region. Some needed

infrastructure facilities and civic amenities have also been

proposed in order to complement the development process.

12.3 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT.

The EIA study has become an essential component of all

developmental activities (pure economic, social,

recreational) . Any economic growth model or tourism

development model must be woven around people and their

environment. Several types of human activities in the name

of economic development and growth in fact, result with the

passage of time, in environment dilemma. Tarbela and Warsak

dams are two examples of environment disruption. The

environmental problems are some what insidious: there are

serious impediments to public comprehension ( even those

desk and so-called experts and policy makers fail to

understand) the full nature of the environmental dilemma.

Environment degradation is a global problem. No nation is an

island (separated from the rest of the world) unto itself

regarding environmental affairs. Whatever benefits from

environmental health and regeneration one country and one

people eventually get, would benefits all humanity.

Environmental problems and their solutions are of recent

origin. In the 1992 Rio Environment Summit, the heads of

states used the term sustainable development that lasting

economic growth and human welfare depend on a healthy

environment.

Environmental problems are misunderstood by the public and

policy makers both. How environmental hazards affect man,

his environmental and resources, and that how to maintain an

environmental health without affecting the economic growth

models: economic growth is pitting against environment and

vice-versa if both are not properly balanced. This

situation has been a headache for the policy makers through

out the world.

12.4 THE NATURE OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS

Environmental problems may be simple, or complex as follows.

12.4.1 Simple Environmental problems

A simple environmental problem consists of a small number of

components of one, or a few types in one hierarchical level,

typically caused accidently, or short term deviation from

normal equilibrium state; normal human experience allows for

an appropriate action. A clear-cut consensus exists for the

solution of these problems, as no interest group is

involved. The best examples are the littered beaches and

tourist spots. The polluters are tourists drivers and their

vehicles. The rubbish is mostly shoes, sandals, plastic

containers, plastic bags etc. The biological natural

degrading process fails to degrade such rubbish even in

decades. The petroleum based waste from the vehicles may

also destroy the water bodies, resulting in the destruction

of aquatic life.

12.4.2 Complex Ennivonmental Problems

A complex environmental problem exists when a large number

of components with two, or more hierarchical levels are

involved. The problem is caused by sustained and deep rooted

dysfunction of one, or more system components. Conflict of

interest exists because of the defective perception to the

most appropriate probable solution. Normal human experience

in one life time (around 60 years), and small number of

places does not allow for solution of the problem. Even if

the problem is completely understood, the interest groups

sabotage the solution of the problem, including illegal

payment to the concerned authority. Some of the examples are

the pesticide conspiracy, and its associated environmental

hazards. There are 4 hierarchical levels which are involved

in pesticide conspiracy: 1. Pesticide industry; 2. Ministry

of agriculture; 3. Pesticide dealers, and 4. Farmers.

12.4.3 Problem Complexity

The pesticide industry in league with the ministry of

agriculture educate the farmers to use and use more

pesticides. The pesticide dealers push the sale of the

products. The farmers are unhappy due to cost and no

efficacy of the product. Similar examples are in transport

and manufacturing industries.

12.5 ECOSYSTEM BEHAVIOR AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS

Environmental problems are confusing. Long sequences of

components connected by cause-effect pathways such that it

will not be apparent to most observers where the causes

originate and effects terminate. For example, the fishermen

have been complaining that their fish catch between Tarbela

dam and Attock bridge have been decreasing . Here the

causes are perhaps several : fish diseases, chemical waste

from Gadoon industries etc. No reliable data exists in this

regard. Likewise, there are 1900 pesticide dumps in

Pakistan. One such dump lies (partially removed) at the

back of police public school near the Secondary Board area

on Jamroud Road, Peshawar. The question is : do we really

comprehend the effect ?

The natural and man-made ecosystems have special basic

characteristics:

12.5.1 Time Lags.

Time lags and cumulative effects are very important in

studying EIA. A complication in many environments develops

in the cause-effect systems which exhibits time lags: an

effect may appear some time after the cause that gave rise

to it was operating, but also an effect now may be produced

not just by a cause 5 years ago, but by the sum of all the

causes operating between 5 and 10 years ago. One of the

clear cut examples of such cumulative effects occurs when

the cumulative assault of environmental pollution on human

organisms finally triggers cancer. The effects of pollutants

(causative agents) now existing in Peshawar City area will

appear after quite some time and not now. This is the enigma

of environmental problem. The enigmatic nature of

environmental problems further complicates their solution.

12.5.2 The Policy Implication.

The policy implication of cumulative effects and time lags

is that it may be difficult to mobilize a constituency

(i.e.; public figures, bureaucrats, and politicians) to deal

with this lagged and cumulative effect. The reason being

that it is not clear in their minds that there is a

connection between a cause operating long ago and an effect

occurring now. Even in our scientific community it is

difficult to make the case really convincing. There are

numerous examples in this regard including in the sectors of

agriculture, industries, and transport.

In addition to the time lags and cumulative effects,

ecosystems have thresholds. Environmental thresholds are

found every where, rather the whole of Pakistan is almost

at the negative environmental threshold: all our habitats,

natural and man-made are used above their carrying capacity

which means they are at the threshold of negative

environmental impact.

The following indicators are necessary to be considered when

analyzing the data for EIA study.

A. Biological

The following 3 components are important in this respect.

i. Vegetation

Some of the tourism facilities proposed in the Master Plan,

which are proposed to be located at Abbottabad and

Mansehra comprise picnic spots, camping grounds, fishing and

rafting. These facilities will definitely cause

environmental disruption in the form of localized

deforestation, erosion and pollution, as the flora of these

habitats consists of a variety of plant and grass species:

Scrub grasses, deodar, fir, alpine, subalpine, pastures,

lichens and grasses. The increase in tourist number along

with their vehicles to the proposed tourism facilities will

cause environmental disruption. The one plus point here is

the seasonality factor of the tourism facilities in

districts of Abbottabad and Mansehra which would have a

mitigative and regenerative effect on the concerned

ecosystems.

ii. Wild Life

Hazara Division has a large variety in topography and

climate. Consequently, it has a diverse type of flora, and

hence, a diverse type of wild life fauna. Some of the major

wild life reported in and around the proposed tourism

facilities are as under:

Mammals. Grey languor; Rhesus monkeys; Himalayan Ibex; (musk

deer) Urial (wild sheep); snow leopard; common leopard;

black bear; brown bear.

Birds: Snow partridges; Himalayan snow cock; and many

others.

iii. Aquatic life

The EIA study of aquatic life would concentrate mainly on

fishing; commercial and sports. Some of the water sports

including boating, fishing and rafting would have a negative

impact on the aquatic habitat which in turn, would

negatively affect the normal fish population. This is in

addition to the rubbish, eroded matter etc. which would end

up in the water, further deteriorating its quality and

endangering aquatic life.

B. Physical indicators

i. Surface water

Danger to the surface water would accrue due to the

unscrupulous behavior of the tourists by improperly throwing

the oily discharges of their vehicles in the proposed

tourist facilities. The resultant pollutants mainly plastic

bags and sandals etc. would cause a negative impact on the

ecosystems in and around the tourist facilities. Ending up

of eroded matter in surface water would also be a cause of

concern.

ii. Ground Water

The ground water will be affected by the tourism facilities,

resulting in sub-standard, or non-standard quality of ground

water. However, this negative impact could be easily avoided

or mitigated by a modern solid waste disposal system, and

good drains via public health engineering, and high

standard of maintenance in the proposed tourist facilities.

Therefore, surface and ground water would be saved from the

pollution and safe drinking water will be available.

iii. Air Quality

Vehicular traffic and organic waste would be major source of

air pollution, as the diesel transport tendency is on

increase, plus poor vehicle maintenance. However, the thin

local population, vast expanse of the area and the green

mountainous habitats would avoid or mitigate any negative

impact on the air quality. Therefore, air quality will not

be disturbed by the proposed tourist facilities.

iv. Erosion

Erosion of the concerned ecosystems would be a cause for the

negative impact of tourist facilities. The people and their

vehicles would erode the ecosystems because the tourist

facilities have been proposed on fragile ecosystems. The

erosion problem would be exacerbated by the raindrops. The

raindrops fallings with force on ground; hilly semi hilly,

mid-hill sandy habitats (as opposed to plains of D.I.Khan)

would loosen the eroded, or semi-eroded ecosystems, and

thus the eroded matter would be carried along and flown with

water. However, this situation would be avoided, or the

negative impact may be mitigated by constructing and

properly maintaining flood water drains. Such drains are

therefore essential.

v. Noise Pollution

The effect of noise (unwanted sound) on the ecosystems of

the proposed tourism facilities would be insignificant

because of the more sound absorptive capacity of the hilly

ecosystem (as opposed to the plain areas where sound travels

fast) where the sound is rarely or slightly reflected.

Therefore, noise pollution in this vast expanse ecosystem

will not be above the human tolerance level.

vi. Pollution

Pollution of the ecosystems would be associated with the

establishment of proposed tourist facilities. The tourist

throw away rubbish (mostly non-biodegradable plastics),

oily discharge of vehicles, localized deforestation, erosion

etc. all would cause a negative impact on the ecosystems and

their inhabitants. It is therefore proposed to be vigilant

in selecting specific site for a particular tourist facility

and the design, construction etc. must be positioned and

maintained properly. In this way the negative impact would

be mitigated, or partially avoided.

C. Human Use

The quality and quantity of the benefits which would accrue,

concomitantly, must also be taken into consideration, which

are as follows.

i. Transport

The transport facilities are very important and must be

considered in the context of local road transport system

prevailing in the Region, which include buses, flying

coaches, horses & mules, jeeps and rickshaws. Their stops,

stations, on the way to and from tourism facilities would

also be beneficial to the local community in order to

mitigate their existing transport problems. The road

projects identified and proposed in the Master Plan would

facilitate inter-and intra-provincial travelling of the

local community.

ii. Power Supply

The power supply projects proposed in the Master Plan are

small scale thermal power generation around the lake Saiful

Muluk, Batakundi and Basel in Kaghan valley. The supply of

such power to the local community will change their life

style and living standard will be improved.

iii. Land Use

With the introduction of tourism facilities and roads (in

some places) mini-markets will develop for the fresh

vegetables and fruits which would be marketed at high

prices. Therefore, the proposed tourist facilities would act

as incentive to farm small pieces of land (1/8th of an acre

even ) and terrace fields with little amount of water, and

grow vegetable and fruits. Thus, the people would be

encouraged for farming and use land in small pieces. This

would be economically beneficial to the local community.

iv. Agriculture

As a result of the tourist facilities, road and transport

system would be improved and it would be easy for the small

scale farmers to transport their farm perishable produce to

inter-district markets in Hazara division, and fetch

reasonable price. Transport at the right time has been

expressed as a serious problem in Kaghan valley by a large

number of small scale farmers. This is in addition to the

local mini-markets of farm produce that would develop as a

result of the proposed tourist facilities in the concerned

area.

D. Quality of Life

The tourist facilities proposed in the Master Plan would

have a positive impact on the quality of life in several

ways. Some of the indicators that could run through the

tourist facilities impact are as under.

i. Socio-Economic

The effect on the life of local community in terms of the

socio economic conditions would be positive as a result of

the proposed tourist facilities in the area. It would

improve their living. There would be fruit, vegetable,

sweats and cigarette vendors at various localities where the

tourist facilities are proposed. A kind of local mini-market

would develop for trading and transaction on small scale.

This business and trading activity would affect their

economic life and also the social interaction with tourists

would widen their knowledge with more options opened.

ii. Employment

The tourist facilities would attract local, domestic as well

as foreign tourists. The skills and management that would be

needed for managing the proposed tourism facilities in

Hazara division would be easily available locally.

Therefore, the local people would get employment in the

operation, management and maintenance of the proposed

tourist facilities. This would be a great help in reducing

unemployment in the employment-starved area of the Hazara

division.

iii. Social Values

No social, religious, aesthetic, archaeological, historical,

pure taboos, or rituals would be offended by establishing

the proposed tourist facilities at identified and selected

sites in Hazara division.

iv. Public Health.

All levels of public health facilities (primary secondary,

and even tertiary) are mostly available to the people of

Hazara division. Therefore, very few public health

facilities have been proposed in the Master Plan. The

improved road and transport facilities as proposed in some

places would help the local community to transport their

patients in time to the public health facilities and the

patients will not succumb to bleeding before reaching such

health facilities .

v. Nutrition

Lack of the proper nutrition is a general problem in

Pakistan, more so in the proposed study area, mostly in

some parts of the Mansehra, Kohistan and Batagram districts.

By improving the socio-economic conditions, employment

opportunities etc. as a result of the proposed tourist

facilities, the local community would have more options ,

and hence there might be a change in their life style and

traditional sources of nutrition, leading towards an

improvement in their nutrition situation.

vi. Communication

The communication facilities already exist in the Region,

which are not far away from the inter-district and inter-

province communication links. However, the Master Plan has

proposed the establishment of Telephone exchange facilities

in some parts of Mansehra, Batagram and Kohistan districts

which would facilitate the communication in the area.

12.6 THE E.I.A RESULTS

The EIA analysis indicates the following.

i. The positive impacts of the proposed tourism facilities

in the selected sites of Hazara division are far more

in quantity and quality than the negative ones.

ii. Pollution and erosion of the fragile ecosystems would

be the major problems.

iii. Tourism facilities proposed around the Tarbela and

Khanpur dams might create some problems for these dams.

iv. Localized deforestation on a small scale may result in

habitat erosion.

12.7 THE E.I.A RECOMMENDATIONS

i. Site selection for tourism facilities around the dams

may be given a second thought, as water

resources( natural and man-made) are very sensitive to

ecological disruption.

ii. Flood water drains are essential in some places.

iii. Full time sanitary inspectors or caretakers must be

employed to look after the cleanliness and

environmental health of the area where the tourism

facilities have been proposed.

iv. Retaining walls may be needed in some places to

avoid flood water erosion of the ecosystems.

13. ROLE OF PRIVATE SECTOR13. ROLE OF PRIVATE SECTOR

Private sector in a larger context in tourism sector

comprises of two sets of population:

a) The Community, and

b) The Private investors

Therefore the role of the private sector has been

ascertained and envisaged in both the aspects, as follows.

13.1 COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION

It has now been increasingly recognized that community plays

a significant and important role in the sustainable success

of the projects which mainly depend on the community

participation during as well as after the implementation.

It has also been recognized now that community participates

in the projects either directly or indirectly, the role may

be as owner, as user or as facilitator. Specifically

speaking with regards to tourism, community has many

opportunities to contribute into various activities related

especially with the services industry. Consultants have

carried out a survey in order to ascertain and asses the

social and cultural acceptability of tourism in the region

and also to explore various modes of participation by the

community in general. The results of the survey are as

follows:

Level of education of the respondent is normally a strong

indication of his opinion. Out of all the respondents

surveyed 56% were metric, 19% were intermediate and 25% had

no formal education. The survey shows a fair coverage of

educated as well as non-educated persons in the study area.

Professional status of a person to a great deal is reflected

in the opportunities available to him for recreation. Out

of the total respondents as much as 50% were engaged in

business, 20% were government servants and another 30% were

either employed or working in the private sectors. The

survey results reveal a 100% acceptance of tourists coming

for visit to the areas of tourism potential. People

generally feel comfortable and welcome such an activity. It

is generally accepted by almost everybody in the study area

that tourism is an income generating activity. As shown in

the survey results 100% of the respondents have expressed

this view. There is a unanimous opinion about the

willingness to participate in various activities involved in

the tourism activities as 100% of the respondents have

expressed their willingness in this regard. In response to

the question as to how the participation of the communities

will be achieved, as much as 69% were interested in some

kind of business opportunity through their own investment,

whereas another 19% were seeking better employment

opportunities. Only 12% were willing to participate but have

no clear idea about the mode of participation.

13.2 PRIVATE SECTOR INVESTMENT

Private sector in Hazara Region is already making a

significate contribution by investment in the tourism and

tourism related activities, as most of the hotels, motels,

restaurants, transport etc. are owned and operated by the

private sector. It is now widely recognized and accepted

that the private sector has the greatest potential to

further invest into the tourism and tourism related

activities. This role of private investment may take one of

the following two forms.

a) Investment by the private sector alone as individuals

or entrepreneurs.

b) Investment in collaboration with STC as joint venture.

The modes operandi of the joint venture will however,

mainly depends on the terms and conditions and the

acceptability by both the parities. One thing is

certain that the funding has to be made by the private

investors keeping in view the limited or no capacity of

STC in this regard. However, STC may contribute in

terms of incentives offered for the operation and

location of the investment and also in terms of

management of the facilities. In simple terms private

sector contributes in cash and STC contributes in kind.

It is however, extremely vague and naive to the already

identify the terms and conditions of any such joint

venture at this stage. STC has to deal with each

individual case separately in order to achieve a

practical formula to each specific case.

The following proposals have been specifically made by the

consultants in this regard.

i) Preparation of Feasibility Studies

It is proposed that STC should prepare feasibility studies

for all the projects clearly showing the nature of the

project, its location, capital cost, operation & maintenance

cost and amount of annual profit expected from the project.

The copies of feasibility studies should be kept in STC

office and made available to the interested parties for

their review and study. Further negotiations may take place

if the party is interested in any specific project.

ii) Holding of Investors Workshop

STC should arrange a workshop at an appropriate time and

place to brief the potential investors regarding the STC

projects requiring private investment. All the members of

provincial and national assemblies from NWFP,

industrialists, hoteliers and land lords should be invited

to this workshop. Memorandums of understanding (MOU'S)

should be signed at the end of the workshop with the

interested parties and further negotiations should be held

to clearly chalk out the terms and conditions of the

investment.

iii) Press advertisements

STC should advertise in the local and national press about

each specific project available for private investment.

Negotiations should take place about the detailed terms and

conditions of the investment with financially sound and

reliable parties, after careful selection.

iv) Formal and Informal Contacts

STC in its own capacity may establish formal as well as

informal contacts with known potential investors in the

private sector, invite them for a detailed discussion on

selected STC projects and negotiate terms and conditions of

the proposed investment.

14. PROPOSED MARKETING AND PROMOTION PLAN14. PROPOSED MARKETING AND PROMOTION PLAN

The success or failure of any product to a great deal

depends on its marketing and promotion . The importance of

good marketing and promotion is fully recognized in the

present day world. A comprehensive and integrated campaign

both at intensive and extensive scales is an essential

prerequisite for the success of tourism industry in the

Region. It requires to make use of the latest and innovative

marketing and promotion techniques including satellites and

computers. A futuristic approach need to be adopted for this

purpose.

The marketing of the tourist attractions located in the

Region need to be carried out both at home as well as

abroad, as follows ;

14.1 DOMESTIC LEVEL.

Recreation and sight seeing is a very personal and social

altitude. It is strongly linked with the political and

economic conditions prevailing at one point in time.

Domestic tourism has gained enormous momentum during the

recent years due to the improvements in the level of

education and socio economic conditions. However, it still

needs a great deal of information, motivation, guidance and

incentives to attract the people for tourism. The marketing

needs to approach the general public at large including all

segments of population. The domestic tourism market covers

the whole country extending from Karachi to Peshawar,

including all the metropolitan cities as well as small

settlements. Most tourists arrive in groups of individuals,

families, students etc. The following techniques are

proposed to be applied for this purpose.

14.1.1 PRINT MEDIA

As a result of the survey of tourists carried out by the

consultants, it is revealed that one of the most common

source of information for the tourists are books and other

literature.

Print media includes newspapers, magazines, books, booklets,

brochures, leaf lets and press advertisements. The literate

of the society are approached through this print media. STC

needs to print and publish material promoting individual

potential sites located within the Region through brochures,

booklets and leaflets. These are normally complementary

copies supplied free of charge. The major outlets are all

the major hotels, restaurants, tourism offices, travelling

agents and tour operators. Magazines and books need to be

printed and published for sale through outlets stated above.

Introductory features need to be published in the national

dailies and widely circulated magazines.

Additionally, it is proposed that a quarterly magazine

should be published by STC . This 10 page foolscap size

magazine should supply information regarding the upto date

and recent developments taking place in tourism sector

within NWFP and also news about other tourism corporations

in Pakistan together with international tourists news. A

separate cell within STC need to be created for this

purpose. Some of the names suggested for this magazine are

as follows.

- STC News

- The Tourist Times

- The Tourism

14.1.2 Hoarding

It is proposed for STC to undertake an extensive campaign of

erecting and displaying large size sign boards/ neon signs

at appropriate locations of public gatherings including the

following.

- Along national and regional roads.

- Railway stations

- Bus Terminals

- Airports

- Shopping Plazas

- Places of Public assembly

- Sports events

- Festivals and fairs

14.1.3 Tele Media

Tele Media is perhaps the most effective and far reaching

media to disseminate information. Most of the general Public

both literate as well as illiterate are accessible through

the national television network in the country. The

satellite programmes through dish antenna can be seen

anywhere in the country from major centers to the far flung

remote mountainous areas of the country. The national

television network and the satellite telecasting can be used

for small duration advertisement and short duration

introductory programmes. Documentary films should be

prepared highlighting various potential tourist spots and

places of interest. Discovery channel of satellite, CNN,

NTM, STN, PTV-1, PTV-2 and many other channels are

available for this purpose.

The special recommendation in the regard is to telecast the

whether conditions, road conditions, availability of hotel

rooms and alternate transport routes for tourists in various

tourism areas soon after the national News on PTV during at

least 3 months of the peak tourist season.

14.1.4 Radio Programmes

Radio broadcasting is another effective media to approach

the public almost everywhere in the country. It is proposed

to establish a Tourist Radio Station at Peshawar on FM

frequency to relay variety of interesting and informative

programmes similar to the existing FM 100 Radio Station. The

information regarding the weather forecasting, condition of

various roads frequently used by the tourists, availability

of hotel accommodation at various tourist concentration

spots and the availability of alternate modes of transport

at various routes can also be aired.

14.1.5 Organized Tours

The period of summer vacations is also the tourism season

for domestic tourists when all the education institutions of

all levels are closed for 2 months, mainly from the mid of

June to mid of August every year. Students from many

education institutions make organized trips in buses

belonging to the institutions or rented for the whole trip.

This activity can be further enhanced by facilitating these

trips by STC in many ways. Many other organizations like

banks, large industrial concerns, various public and private

agencies and departments with large number of employees can

also be contacted and encouraged to organize trips to

various tourist attractions in the area. STC has to play a

more effective role in this regard.

14.2 INTERNATIONAL LEVEL

Foreign tourist traffic to Pakistan is negligible at the

moment, perhaps that is why Pakistan is known as the best

kept secret of Asia. Pakistan is an alien name to the people

of many countries of the world. Pakistan as whole a and STC

particularly needs to do a great deal of work to introduce

Pakistan abroad, and promote tourism in those countries. At

the same time it needs to make appropriate arrangements to

facilitate the tourism activity to make it a sustainable

development so as if and when the tourists come, they fully

enjoy without disappointment. Following are the recommended

means to promote the Pakistani Tourism at international

level.

14.2.1 Pakistani Missions

Pakistani missions abroad including embassies and consulates

can play a leading role in the promotion of Pakistani

Tourism in respective countries. On special occasions like

Pakistan Day, Republic Day, Independence Day, special

congregations can be held. Special features and supplements

can be published in the newspapers of those countries.

Cultural programmes can also be held. Businessmen generally

like to combine business with pleasure, therefore foreign

businessmen visiting Pakistan can be made special offers in

this regard. Cultural Exchange programmes can be arranged.

Exchange programmes of students with various education

institutions can also be carried out. Commercial and

cultural attachees appointed in Pakistan missions abroad can

play a vital role and this role should be brought within the

mandate of their services in a formal and obligatory manner.

These missions should also act as outlets for the

distribution of literature regarding tourism in Pakistan.

14.2.2 Joint Ventures with Tour Operators

Tour operators in foreign countries are playing an important

role in the promotion of tourism. Joint ventures between STC

and foreign tour operators or joint ventures of Pakistani

tour operators with foreign tour operators through STC can

make a great deal of business for tourism in Pakistan.

14.2.3 International Air Lines

International air lines with PIA as leading agency can

arrange package tours with special discounted fares to

various tourist locations in Pakistan. PIA should enter into

agreements with international air lines to extend this

facility on reciprocal basis. The other arrangements of

local transport and hotels can be made jointly by PIA and

STC.

14.2.4 Satellite T.V Programmes

As said earlier in para 14.1.3, various programmes,

advertisements, documentaries and short clippings can be

arranged to be aired on satellite for an effective and

continuous promotion campaign in the foreign countries.

15. PROPOSED HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT PLAN15. PROPOSED HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT PLAN

Human resource development has so for been a neglected

aspect in many fields including tourism industry. It is now

increasingly felt that human resource development plays a

significant role in order to achieve economy, efficiency,

excellence of service and comfort and sustainablity. As a

result, an Institute of Hotel Management has been recently

established in Lahore by the Pakistan Tourism Development

Corporation (PTDC), which offers short term courses on hotel

management. However, its capacity to impart training in many

other fields related with the tourism industry is extremely

limited.

Additionally, STC has undertaken a series of short term

Training Workshops at various cities in NWFP in order to

enhance and strengthen the professional capacity and

capability of the tourism related jobs.

The tourism related service sector includes the following

occupations:-

i. Hotel Management

ii. Hotel accounting and financing

iii. Front Desk/Receptionists.

iv. Cooks

v. Waiters and service boys

vi. Tour Operators

vii. Tour Guides

viii Translators

ix Tourist Drivers.

The Master Plan proposed the following steps to be taken to

achieve an integrated and comprehensive human resource

development.

i. to increase the capacity as well as coverage of allied

professions at the PTDC Institute of Hotel Management.

ii. to arrange scholarships/stipends to study at the PTDC

lnstitute of Hotel Management to the applicants of

remote areas and from low-income families, especially

applicants coming from the areas where tourism is a

dominant activity.

iii. to arrange scholarships to study ad attend short term

courses abroad.

iv. to ensure regular employment after completion of the

studies/training courses.

v. to carry out short term training workshops on regular

basis by STC.

vi. Commercial enterprises engaged in the services of

tourism should be involved to sponsor the training

workshops etc. This will need a high level of

coordination between the private sector involvement

will also be used for many other areas where the strong

role of private sector in the tourism industry is

eagerly sought.

16. COST ESTIMATES16. COST ESTIMATES

Following are the cost estimates prepared for various

project components as have been identified in the Master

Plan. They are mainly based on the current market prices and

are entirely and extremely approximate. The actual and

detailed costs for each of the project components should be

prepared at a later stage together with detailed designing

and at the time of its execution. Therefore, the Umbrella

PC-1 to be prepared after this Master Plan will include

these approximate costs and the PC-1's for each specific

project to be prepared at the time of the implementation of

the Master Plan will include the actual costs as and when

these specific PC-1's are prepared by STC.

16.1 TOURISM FACILITIES

16.1.1 Hotels

For the purpose of this Master Plan and the estimates of

rough costs, it is assumed that a hotel will be located on

an area measuring about 1 acre and will provide

accommodation of 100 beds (50 rooms). The total cost

including the cost of land, design cost, building cost and

furnishing cost is estimated to be:

Rs: 20.00 million.

16.1.1 Motel

It is assumed that a motel will be located on an area of 0.5

acre (4 kanals) and will provide accommodation of 20 beds in

10 rooms. The total cost including the cost of land, design

and construction cost as well as the furnishing cost is

estimated to be:

Rs: 5.00 millions.

16.1.1 Tourist Hostel

A tourist hostel will provide accommodation to 40 persons in

20 rooms and will be located on land measuring 0.5 acre (4

kanals). The total cost including the cost of land, design

cost, construction cost and furnishing cost is estimated to

be:

Rs. 10.00 million.

16.1.4 Restaurants

A restaurant is proposed to be located on land measuring

approximately 2 kanals to 4 kanals with

a dining hall with the seating capacity

of 50 to 60 persons. The total cost of a

restaurant including the cost of land,

deign, building and furnishing costs is

estimated to be: Rs. 2.00

million.

16.1.5 Picnic Spot

All picnic spots will vary considerably in area depending on

the location, tourism potential, anticipated and planned

functions and availability of land. However, for the sake of

this Master Plan it is assumed that a picnic spot will cover

an area of 5 kanals to 20 kanals. The total cost including

the cost of land, soft and hard landscaping and other

ancillary facilities will be approximately

Rs. 4.00 million.

16.1.6 Tourist Facilitation Centre

A tourist facilitation centre is proposed to be provided on

an area ranging from half a kanals to 1 kanal. It will

include space for reception, offices, display area and

waiting area. The total cost including the cost of land,

design cost, building cost and furnishing cost is estimated

to be:

Rs. 0.50 million.

16.1.7 Roadside Facility

A roadside facility is assumed to be a food stall covering a

small area of 0.5 kanal. The total cost including the cost

of land, structure and building space is estimated to be.

Rs. 0.1 million.

16.1.8 Cable Car

The cost of cable car will vary considerably based on its

location, the length of the cable, the number of stations

etc. Data has been collected from locations in Pakistan

where such facilities have already been installed like

Murree, Patriata and Malam Jaba for this purpose. For the

purpose of this Master Plan, it is estimated that each cable

car service will approximately cost:

Rs. 15.00 million.

16.1.9 Camping Site

An average size camping site with auxiliary service provided

on site is estimated to cost.

Rs. 2.00 million.

16.1.10 Fishing

Establishment of the fishing spots generally does not need

much of the development works. However, the cost of erecting

sign boards, street furniture, supervision hut etc. for each

location is estimated to cost

Rs. 0.05 million.

16.1.11 Boating

The cost of boating may vary considerably depending the

level of service. However, for the sake of this master plan

it is assumed that including the cost of boats, motor boats,

motor launches and the development of the boating basin,

each facility will cost.

Rs. 1.50 million.

16.1.12 Tracking

The cost of development of the planned tracking routes at

proposed locations may also vary considerably, depending on

the location and the length of the track. However, it is

estimated that including the cost of direction signs, track

development and street furniture, each track will

approximately cost

Rs. 0.10 million.

16.1.13 Winter Sports

Winter sports in this context means a Dome of ice-skating.

It will also include the auxiliary facilities of snack bar,

changing and waiting rooms, visitors gallery and

administrative offices. The total cost for each facility

will include the cost of land, design, building and

furnishing which is estimated to be approximately

Rs. 3.00 million.

The summery of cost estimates of various tourist facilities

are shown in Table-6.

Table-6: Estimated cost of Proposed Tourists

Facilities

S.No Type of Facility No. of

Faciliti

es

Cost per

Unit

Rs.

million

Total Cost

Rs. million

1. Hotels

11

20.00 220.00

2. Motels

13

5.00 65.00

3. Tourist Hostels 4 10.00 40.00

4. Restaurants

11

2.00 22.00

5. Picnic spots

26

4.00 104.00

6. Roadside facilities

19

0.10 1.90

7. Tourist

Facilitation Centre

6 0.50 3.00

8. Cable car

5

15.00 75.00

9. Camping sites

9

2.00 18.00

10. Fishing

5

0.05 0.25

11. Boating

3

1.50 4.50

12. Rafting

1

1.00 1.00

13. Winter sports

3

3.00 9.00

14. Tracking

8

0.10 0.80

Total 564.45

Less cost of Hotels (564.45 - 220.00) =

344.45

16.2 INFRASTRUCTURE FACILITIES.

A number of infrastructure projects have been identified at

various locations in the Region. The cost estimates will be

prepared together with the detailed designs and PC-1's by

the relevant executing agency. The infrastructure facilities

include roads, water supply, sewerage solid waste collection

and disposal, electricity and telephone. The relevant

executing agencies are the Highway Department, C & W

Department, Public Heath Engineering Depart, WAPDA, PTC and

the Local Administrations.

16.3 CIVIC AMENITIES

Various civic amenities including police, post, health, and

banks are proposed to be provided at various locations in

the Region. However, the cost estimates for each one of

these amenities will be determined and projects implemented

by the relevant departments which include, the Home

Department, Health Department, Communication/Information

Department and the commercial banks.

16.4 TRANSPORTATION

It is proposed in the Master Plan to operate STC transport

consisting of at least 10 tourist coaches. The cost of the

coaches together with terminal facilities, auxiliary

services and operation for the first year is estimated to

be.

Rs. 50 million.

16.5 MARKETING AND PROMOTION

16.5.1 Print Media

The print media includes the publishing of at 20 different

leaflets and brochures in adequate numbers, printing of a

number of press advertisements, and the publishing of other

promotion materials. The cost roughly has been estimated to

be:

Rs. 5.00 million.

16.5.2 STC Magazine

A 10 page quarterly magazine is proposed to be published by

STC .It is estimated to cost STC for its establishment and

launching an amount of approximately.

Rs. 5.00 million.

16.5.3 Hoarding

It is proposed to erect sign boards and neon signs at not

less than 100 locations all over the country. It is

estimated that they will roughly cost.

Rs. 10.00 million.

16.5.4 Tele Media

This will include the preparation of short duration

advertisements, films, documentaries, clippings and

interviews. It is estimated that these activities will cost

approximately:

Rs. 20 .00 million.

16.6 TRAINING AND RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

It will include the commencement of various training

programmes, Training Workshops, award of scholarships both

within Pakistan and aboard. It is estimated that these

activities will roughly cost:

Rs. 10.00 million.

16.7 INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS

16.7.1 STC Strengthening

The institutional strengthening of STC is proposed as an

essential pre-requisite for the implementation of this

Master Plan. A number of sections/cells/departments are

proposed to be created/established within STC for this

purpose. The institutional strengthening will include the

personal salaries, allowances, office stationary etc. It is

roughly estimated that for the plan period of 10 years, it

will roughly cost:

Rs. 50.00 million.

16.7.2 STC Consultancy

The implementation of this Master Plan in the form of the

number of various projects identified therein will require

the designing and preparation of the specific projects.

Keeping in view the technical and professional expertise

required in a variety of fields, it is anticipated that STC

will require the services of a number of Consultants in this

regard. It is estimated that this consultancy service will

cost approximately:

Rs. 30.00 million

The aggregate cost estimates are given in Table-7, as

follows.

Table-7: Total Cost Estimates

S.No Project Components Total Cost (Rs.

Millions)

1. Tourism Facilities 344.45

2. Infrastructure

Facilities

-

3. Civic Amenities -

4. STC Transportation 50.00

5. Marketing and Promotion 40.00

6. Training and Resource

Dev.

10.00

7. STC Strengthening 50.00

8. STC Consultancy 30.00

Total 524.45

17. FUNDING ARRANGEMENTS17. FUNDING ARRANGEMENTS

Funding is required for the following project components as

proposal in this Master Plan. The proposed funding

arrangements for each category of projects is also discussed

as under.

17.1 INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS

The proposed infrastructure projects include, roads, water

supply, sewerage, solid waste management and electricity and

telephone. They include both improvement/upgrading/extension

to the existing networks and the provision of new networks.

Each one of the above projects fall within the

responsibility of the respective provincial department

including Highway Department, C & W Department, Public

Heath Engineering Department, the Local Municipal

Authority, WAPDA and Telecom. Deptt. Each one of these

departments have allocation of funds made under the

provincial and departmental Annual Development Programmes

(ADP). The projects identified for various infrastructure

facilities should be included in the ADP's during the coming

years according to the phasing proposed in this Master

Plan.

17.2 CIVIC AMENITIES PROJECTS

The proposed civic amenities projects include post offices,

police stations, health facilities, and banks. Each

category of projects are the responsibility of the

respective provincial departments including the Home

Department, Health Department, Communications Department and

Zonal Head Offices of various commercial banks. Each one of

these departments has fund allocations made under the Annual

Development Program (ADP's) except the banks. The projects

identified for the provision of various civic amenities

should be included in the ADP's of the respective

departments according to the phasing proposed in this

Master Plan.

17.3 TOURIST FACILITIES DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS

A large number of tourist facilities have been proposed to

be developed both in the private as well as in the public

sectors and also as a joint venture of both of them. The

proposed funding arrangements for various tourist facility

projects are as follows:

17.3.1 Private Sector

The projects proposed to be funded by the private sector

alone re as follows:

i) Hotels

ii) Roadside facilities

17.3.2 STC

The tourist facilities projects proposed to be funded by STC

alone through grants from the provincial and federal

governments and loans from financial institutions are as

follows:

i) Picnic spots

ii) Tourist Facilitation Centers

iii) Camping Grounds

iv) Tracking Routes

17.4 STC TOURIST TRANSPORT

It is proposed to fully own and operate the proposed 10

coaches for the purpose of tourist transport by STC alone.

However, additional coaches under STC arrangements should be

operated under partnership with the private sector.

17.5 MARKETING AND PROMOTION

Funding arrangements to carry out the intensive and

extensive campaigns for the marketing of projects and

promotions of tourism within Pakistan and abroad is proposed

take place with the help of the private sector. A large

number of private sector industries and business concerns

should be contacted to sponsor various marketing and

promotion activities as proposed in Chapter-14 of this

Master Plan. Consultants have thoroughly explored the

possibility of this funding source and have been extended

full assurance in this regard by a large number of giant

business establishments.

17.6 HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS

Service sector plays an important role in functioning of

tourism activities at various levels. Master Plan has

proposed various programmes in response to the need to

develop the service sector which includes a number of

training programmes, workshops, education sessions etc. both

available in Pakistan and abroad, some requiring stipends

and scholarships. It is proposed that STC should be given

appropriate funds for this purpose through provincial and

federal grants/allocations.

17.7 STC INSTITUTIONAL STRENGTHENING

STC needs a handsome amount of funding for its functions and

operations during the future. Following are the possible

modes of funding for STC administrative expenditures.

i) Annual Development Programma (ADP)

ii) Revenue Generation from various projects.

It is proposed that appropriate allocations should be made

in the provincial ADP's to meet the STC administrative

expenses during the first 2 to 3 years of the implementation

of the Master Plan. During the same years some of the

proposed projects will be implemented and put in operation

in order to yield enough revenues for STC to support its

staff and meet others administrative expenses to function

properly and strongly. During the later years after the

completion of the remaining projects, STC may generate

enough revenues to further invest into its activities.

17.8 STC CONSULTANCY

In order to achieve a sustainable development activities STC

will require the services of various consultants for various

activities including the designing of various proposed

tourist facilities, training programmes an management

purposes. The funding for various consultancy components is

proposed to be made by the ADP allocations throughout the

plan period of the Master Plan.

17.9 REVENUE GENERATING ACTIVITIES

One of the aims of this Regional Plan and an essential

salient features is to make STC a self financing

organization which is also able to expand its functions and

provide further facilities in the tourism sector.

Hence the Master Plan has proposed a number of activities

which may involve funding from STC at initial stages but

ultimately will become revenue generating activities. These

are of two types.

a) STC and Private Sector Partnership

i) STC Motels

ii) STC Tourist Hostels

iii) STC Restaurants

iv) Cable Car

v) Fishing are/Boating

vi) Winter sports

b) Funded by STC alone

i) STC Transport

ii) STC Magazine

iii) STC Publications

18.18. INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS AND STC STRENGTHENINGINSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS AND STC STRENGTHENING

Before discussing any new institutional arrangements to be

made, it is quite useful to consider the existing

institutional arrangements existing at national and local

levels, in the context of their performance which are as

follows.

18.1 MINISTRY OF TOURISM.

Ministry of Tourism exists in Pakistan, both at the federal

as well as provincial levels. It is actually a separate

department attached from time to time with various

ministries including Culture and Sports.

At the provincial level an office of the Deputy Controller,

Ministry of Tourism exists in Peshawar. The main functions

of this department are to issue licenses to hotels and

restaurants to legally operate in NWFP and also to issue

licenses to tour operators and traveling agents under two

different Acts passed in 1976.

18.2. PAKISTAN TOURISM DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (PTDC)

Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation established in 1970

was initially envisaged to be a private sector venture. But

within a few years, it became yet another semi-government

organization where the crest fallen dummy-gods of

bureaucracy were dumped till they were rehabilitated.

Tenures of some of the managing directors were as short as 6

weeks to 10 months.

The only period during which a lot of development projects

were initiated and completed was from 1973 to 1975 when

enough funds were secured to upgrade tourist facilities and

to build new ones. After that, Managing Directors were

appointed and removed at short intervals with the result

that no new projects were undertaken. They concentrated more

on foreign tours than bringing about improvements in the

systems. The situation prevailed till 1977 whereafter the

tourism was considered as a threat to Islamic values and

culture.

After Martial Law was removed and a democratic system took

over, serious thought was given to tourism as industry since

1988. However, no practical step was taken in this direction

for improvement, mainly due to the hurdles created by the

Ministry of Finance and CBR.

Despite many hurdles, the Government during the previous

tenure of Main Nawaz Sharif, allocated more than 250 million

rupees for the development and marketing of projects. But

the PTDC with hardly any expertise in these fields could not

utilize such a large allocation. The funds were squandered

away on purchase of luxury vehicles for personal use,

inviable small motel projects and on "official foreign

trips. Eighty percent of the funds allocated to PTDC were

utilized for payment of salaries and overheads.

However, steps taken recently are indicative of another move

in the right direction and if sustained it may bring some

fruitful results in the near future.

18.3. OTHERS PROVINCIAL TOURISM DEVELOPMENT CORPORATIONS

The story of provincial tourism corporation of Punjab and

Sind is no different from that of PTDC. The Tourism

Development Corporation of Punjab (TDCP) was created in mid

80's with an initial allocation of over Rs. 100 million.

Luxury coaches were bought, tourists facilities began to be

developed, tourists information centers were opened and a

chair lift was installed at Patriata-Murree.

But soon the Corporation was turned into a sort of

employment agency. Hundreds of sons, nephews, and

acquaintances of Ministers, MNA's and MPA's were inducted

and the corporation was reduced to near bankruptcy. It is

still in a financial crisis.

As for Sind Tourism Development Corporation, set up some

five years ago, it has yet to prove its existence. Like

PTDC, it has had nearly half a dozen managing directors in

five years. The chief executive is never allowed to work

independently. Vehicles purchased for STDC were placed at

the disposal of the then Chief Minister. No development

activities have been undertaken so far though the province

is rich in tourism potential.

Baluchistan is yet to decide whether it needs a tourism

organization, although it has so much to offer by way of

beaches, archaeological sites, hill station of Ziarat and an

interesting topography and full range of fruit orchards all

over.

18.4. SARHAD TOURISM CORPORATION (STC)

The only province is NWFP where tourism is being taken

seriously as an economic activity. In 1991, the Government

of NWFP established Sarhad Tourism Corporation (STC) as a

public limited company to promote tourism in the province.

The objectives of the STC included to improve the existing

tourism facilities and explore new ones and carry out

developmental works in an integrated, coordinated and

comprehensive manner, so as to preserve the environmental

quality and achieve maximum efficiency.

The role of STC was defined to be a catalyst and help

promote the tourism industry through private sector. The

involvement of private sector will mobilize the enormous

potential prevailing in this sector. It was perceived that

after an initial financial support the STC would become a

self-financing organization. This became a distant goal

after initial experience and Government's assistance was

further sought on limited basis. However, the ultimate goal

to become self-financing is still the underlying policy

matter.

Fig. 8 shows the present organizational chart of STC, which

clearly indicates the need for an institutional

strengthening, particularly during the times to come due to

its anticipated role in tourism promotion and development.

Fig.9 shows the proposed organizational chart which is only

indicative and needs careful review and in depth study

under a separate consultancy assignment before it is finally

approved and adopted. The proposed organizational chart

shows following new departments and cells to be added.

a) Registration and Licensing Section

This section will monitor the performance of the facilities

existing in the private sector including hotels, restaurants

and tour operations. All these facilities will be registered

with this section and an annual license to each facility

will be issued. The renewal of the license will depend on

the performance of each facility during the previous year.

This section will have three cells, as follows:

i) Hotels

ii) Restaurants

iii) Tour operators

The above functions are presently carried out by the Deputy

Controller, Ministry of Tourism, Peshawar office. Now these

functions are proposed to be transfused to STC.

b) Coordination Section

Development is an integrated process. Development in tourism

essentially depends the development in many

other sectors of economy including roads, water

supply,

sewerage, solid waste management, electricity, telephone,

police, post, health etc. Separate projects have ben

proposed for various infrastructure facilities and civic

amenities. These projects will be designed, planned and

executed by a number of line departments. STC needs a high

degree of coordination with these line departments to

Fig.8:

Fig.9:

ensure the provision of various infrastructure facilities

and civic amenities where the other tourism facilities have

been proposed. It is therefore proposed to establish a

coordination section within STC for this purpose.

c) Projects Section

A large number of tourism facilities have been proposed in

this Master Plan to be developed and located at various

selected sites in the Region. They include STC motels, STC

restaurants, STC tourist hostels, picnic spots, tourist

facilitation centers, etc. It will be the responsibility of

this section to design the facilities, plan them and

supervise the execution of these projects. After the

execution, this section will be given the responsibility for

O & M (operation & maintenance) of all facilities. This

section will have following different cells;

i) Consultants Cell

ii) Project Design & Development Cell

iii) Project Maintenance Cell

d) Marking Section

This section will be responsible for all marketing and

promotional activities. This will have the following cells;

i) Publication and Distribution Cell

ii) STC quarterly Magazine Cell

iii) Audio Video Cell

e) Training Section

A variety of programmes have been proposed in the Master

Plan to organize, arrange and impart relevant education and

training to strengthen the tourism service sector as a human

resource development. This cell will arrange and organize

various training programmes and workshops for this purpose.

f) Transport Section

In order to provide efficient transport arrangements and to

improve the existing conditions by creating healthy

competition, it is proposed to establish STC transport in

the Region. This section will be operated, managed and

maintained by the STC transport Section.

g) Tourist Facilities Section

A number of Tourist Facilitation Centers have been proposed

is the Master Plan to be located at key locations in the

Region. This section will be responsible to manage these

centers.

19. PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION19. PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION

The implementation of the Master Plan and various project

components will be carried out as follows.

19.1 IMPLEMENTATION FRAMEWORK

A number of public and private agencies will be involved in

the implementation of various specific project components

relating to the respective responsibilities. These agencies

can be broadly categorized as follows:

1. Public Agencies

i. Road Projects : Highway

Department, C&W Department

ii. Water Supply

and Sewerage Projects : Public Health

Engineering Department.

iii. Solid Waste Collection

and Disposal Projects : Municipal Committees,

Town Committees

iv. Electrification Projects :

Wapda

v. Post Offices :

Ministry of Communications

vi. Telephone : Pakistan

Telecommunication Corporation.

vii. Police Stations :

Home Department

viii. Health Facilities :

Health Department

ix. Banks :

Commercial Banks

The above implementation framework however requires a high

degree of coordination. It is therefore proposed to

establish a coordination cell within STC which will liaison

with the line developments involved in the project

implementation process one way or the other.

19.2 IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE

It is proposed that the implementation of the Master Plan

takes place in phases with activities of each phase

integrated with the activities of other phases in order to

complement and supplement the activities . Following are

the activities proposed to commence and complete in

different phases. The overall phasing programme in based on

the two broad categories of the Immediate Action Programme

(IAP) and the Long Term Programme.

PHASE-I

19.2.1 Immediate Action Programme.

Immediate Action Programme is proposed for a period of first

two years and involves activities aimed at improvements and

upgrading in the existing tourism facilities without

involving huge capital outlays. It therefore, focusses more

on adopting the regulatory measures. Various activities

proposed for the immediate action are as follows.

i. STC Strengthening.

It is a prerequisite to strengthen the institutional

arrangements of STC to play a stronger role to ensure the

implementation of the Master Plan. STC should expand

gradually as and when required according to the expansion

of the work on the other components of the Master Plan and

to be integrated to other activities proposed in the Master

Plan. Some of the new sections in STC should be established

right now corresponding with the activities proposed as

immediate actions. However, the sections involved in the

activities proposed in the long -term plan should be

established later.

ii. Licensing of Private Sector Activities.

The performance of various tourism facilities provided in

the private sector including hotels, restaurants, tour

operators, tour guides etc. is extremely poor in terms of

both quantity and quality. There is no mechanism to regulate

and monitor these activities. It is proposed that STC

should be given the licensing authority which is presently

held with the Deputy Controller, Ministry of Tourism,

Peshawar. Inspectors should be appointed by STC to

periodically and regularly monitor the performance of the

private sector activities in this regard.

iii. Marketing and Promotion Activities.

Marketing and Promotion of tourism is, as a matter of fact,

a continuous activity. It is proposed that some of the

activities should commence with immediate effect both at

home and abroad. Main emphasis during this phase should be

given to designing, printing and distribution of

introductory leaflets, brochures book lets etc.

iv. Improvement of the infrastructure Facilities.

STC should establish contacts and coordinate with the line

departments in order to improve and upgrade the existing

infrastructure facilities in the region. This will mainly

deal with the implementation of the improvement/upgrading

projects which have been identified in this Master Plan.

v. Improvement of the Civic Amenities.

STC should establish contacts and coordinate with the line

departments in order to improve and upgrade the existing

civic amenities in the region. This will mainly deal with

the implementation of the improvement/upgrading projects

which have been identified in this Master Plan.

19.2.2 Long - Term Programme

The total span of the plan period of this Master Plan is

proposed for 10 years. The Immediate Action Programme is

proposed for 2 years, and the remaining period of 8 years is

considered for the long-term programme.

It is envisaged that after completion of the immediate

action programme in 2 years, various activities will have

gained momentum and the environment will have been gained

for the implementation of the long - term plan. It is also

proposed to carry out long-term plan is two phases of 4

years each, as follows.

PHASE-II

Following activities are proposed for phase-II of the Master

Plan and the stage-I of the long-term plan.

i. STC Strengthening

It is proposed to fully complete the institutional

strengthening of STC which had commenced during the

immediate action programme. This will help STC to function

fully and completely to steer various tourism activities

involved in the implementation of the Master Plan.

ii. Marketing and Promotion.

It is proposed to further expand the activities involved in

the marketing and promotion plan as suggested earlier. While

the press advertisements, hoarding and the printing and

distribution of the literature was proposed in Phase-I, it

is proposed to commence the publication of the STC Magazine

in Phase-II. The other activities proposed to take place

during this phase are the use of tele media, video, and the

satellite programmes.

iii. Development of new tourist facilities.

It is proposed to start building and development of new

tourist facilities as proposed in the Master Plan in the

areas which are already established tourist attractions or

in areas located in the close vicinity during this phase.

This will involve the development of new hotels, motels,

restaurants, picnic spots, road side facilities, and others.

this should be done in an integrated manner to become

actually an extension of the existing facilities.

iv. Development/Extension of the new Infrastructure

Facilities.

It is proposed to provide new infrastructure facilities

including water supply, sewerage, electricity etc. to the

areas where new tourist facilities have been developed

during this phase. This should also be done in an integrated

manner as an extension to the existing facilities.

v. Development of new Civic Amenities.

Civic amenities including the police, health and other

facilities should be provided in areas where new

tourist facilities have been built during this

phase in an integrated manner.

vi. Human Resource Development

Some of the training programmes and workshops should

commence during this stage including the formal education of

higher level studies available in Pakistan.

vii. STC Transportation

In order to respond to the immediate need for appropriate

transportation arrangements for the tourist movement in the

area, it is proposed to commence the STC transport during

this phase, as mentioned in the Master Plan.

viii. Private Sector Involvement

It is proposed to take necessary steps involved in the

process of mobilization of the private sector to participate

in the development, implementation and operation of projects

identified in the Master Plan. This will involve the

preparation of various feasibility reports and establishment

of contacts with the private sector.

PHASE-III

Following activities have been proposed to fully and

completely implement the Master Plan.

i. Development of the Remaining Tourist Facilities.

It is proposed to develop the remaining tourist facilities

during this last phase, as proposed in the Master Plan. They

include the development of new hotels, motels, restaurants,

picnic spots etc. It will include all identified locations :

near as well remote.

ii Development of new Infrastructure Facilities.

It is proposed to provide all the infrastructure facilities

to all the areas where new tourist facilities have been

developed as proposed in the Master Plan during this phase

in an integrated manner.

iii. Development of new Civic Amenities.

It is proposed to develop new civic amenities to the areas

where new tourist facilities have been developed during this

phase, as proposed in the Master Plan, in an integrated

manner.

iv. Marketing and Promotion.

It is proposed to further expand the area of marketing and

promotion activities during this last phase, and the

international market should also be fully covered in this

regard.

v. Human Resource Development

The activities in the training and formal education should

be further expanded during this phase and potential

candidates should be sent to the local as well as foreign

institutions for this purpose.