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BABUSAR TOP, Dec 22 (APP):The moderate rain with snowfall at breathtaking Babusar Pass in Upper Kaghan turned the weather extremely cold amid thrill and excitement by tourists.
The tourists with families arrived from plains districts of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were over the moon during snowfall at the famous Babusar Top, known for its mesmerizing natural beauty and mountain splendor.
Malaika Bibi, a seventh-grade student at Peshawar, was overwhelmed by the moderate snowfall and grandeur of Pakistan’s mesmerizing beauty as he travelled to the famous Babsar pass.
Accompanied by her parents, Malaika’s dream of visiting Babusar top connecting Upper Kaghan Manshera with Chilas Gilgit Balistan over an altitude of 13,691 feet above the sea level with national flag hoisting high came true after witnessing snowfall, serene lakes and lush green valleys on its routes starting from Naran-Kaghan and Babusar Top, making her joy memorable.
“I have waited eagerly for this snowfall as my father, a government servant, has promised me for this memorable trip for which a big thank you to my sweet papa for fulfilling my childhood dream today,” said Malaika while throwing snowballs to her brother at Babusar Top.
She said the stunning beauty of frrezing small and large glaciers on the Snowclad Mountains such as Malika Parbath of Hamalaya, Saiful Malook, Ansu and Lalusar lake take tourists over the moon.
The river Kunhar’s cold water and trout fish besides Sowani waterfall enroute to Upper Naran add additional charm to the captivating journey.
The roadside’s small shops at Bhattal town offer ‘Palosa and Ber’ honey to travelers as gift along with woolen Chaddar and other garments to keep themselves warm.
Umar Khan, a honey seller told APP that these special honeys are also being exported to GULF due to its purity, adding these products were mostly brought from Karak and Lachi Kohat, a home of Palosa and Ber honey in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as special offer.
However, the unplanned construction of houses on roadsides, fast glaciers’ melting and poor communications made negative effects on the region’s beauty.
Nasir Khan, another tourist of Wapda Town Nowshera said their Naran-Babusar’s journey began from Naran, a popular tourist town in Kaghan Valley where they enjoyed Chappli Kabab along with Peshawar Polao before proceeding to the famous Saiful Malook lake known for fairytales of the Persian Princes Saiful Malook and fairyprinces Badri Jamala.
There are many passes in Pakistan including Bolan Pass, Khyber Pass, Lowari Pass, Malakanad pass and Broghail pass but the beauty of Babusar carried a unique charm and distinction for visitors due to high velocity snowfall.
Hired a jeep on Rs20,000 from Naran-Babusar trip, Nasir said brown trout at Saiful Malook lake amid snowfall and cold breeze emanating from Malika Parpath’s snow covered mountains added charm of Kaghan valley.
He said our next destination was Ansu lake located about six kilometers north east of Saiful Malook with climbing road steadily amid snowfall on Sunday,” he told APP and added that Sooch waterfall’s cold water was the most frequented site of tourists.
The route is characterized by its scenic beauty, featuring rivers, dense forests, meadows and unexplored waterfalls. “The ascent is gradual but noticeable, offering spectacular views of the surrounding snow-clad peaks and valleys on the way to Babusar top.
The tourist’s family enjoy Lulusar, a glacial lake located at an altitude of about 3,410 meters (11,190 feet) and its azure waters in the backdrop of snow-capped peaks make it a picturesque stop.
The final stretch to Babusar Top was a thrilling drive, with hairpin bends and steep ascents. The pass itself provides panoramic views of the Himalayas and Karakoram ranges, and the valleys in its surroundings especially of Azad Kashmir.
Ms Dervla Murphy, an Arish Adventure Cyclist and Author wrote in her book ‘two wheels over nine glaciers’ while visiting Babusar top on bicycle in 1960 revealed about her memorable journey from Naran-Babusar-Gilgit.
She was highly impressed of the hospitality of its residents and the region’s mesmerizing natural beauty, lush green Mountains and serene lakes.
The road to Babusar top in some areas is very challenging especially for new drivers due to fall of glaciers, snowfall and waterfalls besides deliapidated conditions. The climate change’s damages could be easily seen in the region as evidence of glaciers fast melting during summer.
Omair Khattak, General Manager Investment, KP Tourism Authority said Babusar pass would be linked with Ganool Manshera integrated tourism zone which would be constructed with the assistance of the World Bank.
ITZ Ghanool Mansehra would be established on 59.6 acres, ITZ Mankiyal Swat on 29.5 acres, ITZ Madaklasht on 540 Kanal and ITZ Thandyani on 640 Kanal of land respectively.
As a pilot project, ITZ Ghanool with a proposed cost of Rs5.5 billion and Mankiyal with an estimated cost of Rs2.9 billion to be developed first to promote sustainable tourism.
The rules and regulations for Mankiyal and Ghanool ITZs have been prepared that would be completed on the patterns of ITZs of Malaysia and Indonesia.
These ITZs are expected to create 200,000 direct and indirect job opportunities and USD 2.8 billion investment.
The captivating journey to Babusar Top is not only a drive but an adventure with clouds hovering around with chances of rainfalls alingwith snowfall any time as the visitors travel through some of Pakistan’s most stunning mountains sceneries, providing a memorable experience for nature and mountain sports enthusiasts.