Society

Lake Saiful Muluk attracts large numbers of tourists

By Qasim Yousafzai

Tourists take a boat ride on Lake Saiful Muluk in August. [Qasim Yousafzai]

Tourists take a boat ride on Lake Saiful Muluk in August. [Qasim Yousafzai]

Tourists from across the country view Lake Saiful Muluk and take photos in August. [Qasim Yousafzai]

Tourists from across the country view Lake Saiful Muluk and take photos in August. [Qasim Yousafzai]

Jeeps are shown parked on the side of Lake Saiful Muluk. Jeeps are the only way to reach the area because of rough, rocky roads. [Qasim Yousafzai]

Jeeps are shown parked on the side of Lake Saiful Muluk. Jeeps are the only way to reach the area because of rough, rocky roads. [Qasim Yousafzai]

A local vendor sells locally made health tonic called "salajeed" at Lake Saiful Muluk in August. [Qasim Yousafzai]

A local vendor sells locally made health tonic called "salajeed" at Lake Saiful Muluk in August. [Qasim Yousafzai]

Boat owners wait for customers on Lake Saiful Muluk in August. [Qasim Yousafzai]

Boat owners wait for customers on Lake Saiful Muluk in August. [Qasim Yousafzai]

A local vendor sells cotton candy near Lake Saiful Muluk in August. [Qasim Yousafzai]

A local vendor sells cotton candy near Lake Saiful Muluk in August. [Qasim Yousafzai]

Children feed a goat on the shore of Lake Saiful Muluk. [Qasim Yousafzai]

Children feed a goat on the shore of Lake Saiful Muluk. [Qasim Yousafzai]

Tourists from across the country visit Lake Saiful Muluk (shown in August) in Naran Valley of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during the summer.[Qasim Yousafzai]

Tourists from across the country visit Lake Saiful Muluk (shown in August) in Naran Valley of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during the summer.[Qasim Yousafzai]

Jeeps travel to Lake Saiful Muluk through bumpy and rough roads in Naran Valley of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. [Qasim Yousafzai]

Jeeps travel to Lake Saiful Muluk through bumpy and rough roads in Naran Valley of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. [Qasim Yousafzai]

Children ride horseback near Lake Saiful Muluk in Naran Valley in August. [Qasim Yousafzai]

Children ride horseback near Lake Saiful Muluk in Naran Valley in August. [Qasim Yousafzai]

Tourists watch a snake show near Lake Saiful Muluk in August. [Qasim Yousafzai]

Tourists watch a snake show near Lake Saiful Muluk in August. [Qasim Yousafzai]

LAKE SAIFUL MULUK -- Lake Saiful Muluk is gaining attention as a tourist attraction among Pakistanis and international tourists as well, prompting local officials to take steps to facilitate visitors.

The highest alpine lake in Pakistan, at an elevation of 3,224 metres above sea level, is situated in Naran Valley of Mansehra District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).

Tough roads and high mountains make it somewhat difficult for tourists to fully enjoy the beautiful lake and other tourist attractions in the area such as Babusar Pass and Lalazar, visitors say.

"The government should at least establish some tourist facilitation centres in the area," Mehmood Jan Babar, a journalist from Peshawar who was visiting the lake with his family in August, told Pakistan Forward.

Lake Saiful Muluk in Naran Valley of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is shown in August. [Qasim Yousafzai]

Lake Saiful Muluk in Naran Valley of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is shown in August. [Qasim Yousafzai]

Lack of facilities such as bathrooms and trash cans makes it difficult for tourists to stay longer and enjoy the beautiful lake, he said. "Volunteerism is a must to keep the area clean and preserve nature," he said.

The local government is taking steps to facilitate visitors, said Hasina Shaukat, spokesperson for the KP Tourism and Culture Department.

"We are working to fix the roads of Naran, Kalam and other Swat areas," she told Pakistan Forward, adding that the government is establishing rest areas, flower markets and food streets around the lake.

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THESE NOTES ARE QUITE HELPFUL FOR THOSE ARE STUDYING TERTIARY INDUSTRY BUT THERE SHOULD BE FACTORS TO PROMOTE THE DEVELOPMENT OF TOURISM.

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nice

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