Staff Report
PESHAWAR: In line with Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s tourism vision, the Culture and Tourism Authority has formally handed over the ‘Camping Pods’ in Bumburet to the Kailash Valleys Development Authority, with the aim of making the authority more functional and locally empowered. The pods have been opened for tourists under a sustainable, community-led business model.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed at the office of the Secretary Tourism under the Government-to-Government (G2G) policy framework. The agreement was inked by Habibullah Arif, Director General of the Culture and Tourism Authority, and Minhasuddin, Director General of the Kailash Valleys Development Authority.
The ceremony was attended by former Special Assistant to the Chief Minister on Minority Affairs Wazir Zada, Secretary for Culture, Tourism, and Archaeology Dr. Abdul Samad, members of the Kailash Valleys Development Authority, and senior officials of the tourism department.
Speaking on the occasion, Secretary Dr. Abdul Samad said that comprehensive steps are being taken to promote tourism in Chitral, especially in the culturally rich Kailash Valley. He said the provincial government is committed to the welfare of the local Kalasha community, with several development projects already underway.
Dr. Samad emphasized that local management of the camping pods will not only improve facilities for tourists but also provide economic opportunities to the community. “This initiative is a key step towards sustainable tourism development and the preservation of cultural heritage in the region,” he added.
He further noted that the government is actively working to promote Kalasha religious rituals and festivals on international platforms to attract more global interest.
Under the Chief Minister’s vision, all tourism development authorities have been tasked with enhancing the appeal of tourist destinations, preserving the natural environment, uncovering hidden tourism treasures, and ensuring that local communities benefit from the growth of tourism.
