The Kaghan Valley (Hindko, ) is an Alpine climate valley in Mansehra District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. The valley stretches
Geography
The Kaghan Valley is located in the
Hazara region of Pakistan,
and borders the Pakistani-administered territories of
Gilgit-Baltistan and
Azad Kashmir to the north and east, respectively. From here, the Mansehra-Naran-Jalkhad (MNJ) Road leads to Gilgit Baltistan.
The 154-kilometre-long valley is enveloped by the Lower Himalayan mountain range, resulting in an
Alpine plant climate and the prevalence of
pine and
Deodar forests forests and
Alpine tundra.
Alongside the flow of the
Kunhar River, the valley features
, crystal-like clear
,
and frosty mountain
.
The highest mountain peak in the valley known as Malika Parbat (), stands at a height of around . Other notable peaks in the valley include Musa ka Musalla and Makra Peak.
Lakes and National Parks
The natural freshwater lakes of the valley including Lake Saiful Muluk,
Pyala Lake,
Ansoo Lake,
Lulusar Lake,
Dharamsar Lake,
Dudipatsar Lake,
Siri Lake and
Payee Lake attract tourists every year and some other lakes are still undiscovered. There are two national parks in the valley,
lower parts of the valley constitute the Naran region and Saiful Muluk National Park with Saiful Muluk Lake while the upper parts in the north constitute Lulusar-Dudipatsar National Park covering along the Naran-Chilas road the Dhramsar, Dudipatsar, Lulusar and six other lakes and hilly areas of the
Himalayan Range. The Babusar Pass, which is nearly the end of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa territory lies within the latter.
Tourism
The Kaghan is known for its scenery and landscapes, resulting in its popularity as a summertime resort amongst locals and tourists alike. Annually, tourists come from across the country and outside to visit the valley.
In June 2024, more than 300,000 tourists arrived in the valley during the
Eid al-Adha holidays.
Notable sites
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Shogran, a hill station which lies on a plateau at an elevation of . Malika Parbat, the highest mountain peak in the valley, is visible from the nearby Siri Paye meadows
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Lalazar, a tourist spot at an elevation of above the sea level, is located in the lower part of the valley.
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Lulusar, a group of mountain peaks and a lake at a height of . The lake is the primary headwaters of the Kunhar River.
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Jalkhand, a town about away from Naran. Pyala Lake lies in the town.
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Kiwai, a village known for Kiwai waterfalls near Shogran.
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Khanian, also spelt Khania, is a small village in the north of the valley.
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Gittidas, a meadow at an elevation of in the upper part prior to Babusar Top, the end point of the valley. Nearby the meadows, are the Dharamsar Lake and Sambaksar lakes. To the north, it further leads to Azad Kashmir.
Flora
Local forest known as Kaghan Temperate Coniferous Forest is home to many plants species.
These include
Cedrus deodara, Pinus wallichiana, Abies pindrow, Taxus wallichiana, Picea smithiana, and broad-leaved plants such as
Juglans regia, Aesculus indica, Prunus padus, Fraxinus, Ailanthus glandulosa, Date-plum, Morus alba and Ficus indica. In 2020, an ethnobotanical survey conducted in valley reported the uses of
Cederella serrata for treating chronic infantile dysentery.
Demographics
Most of the communities residing in the region including Syed,
Kashmiris,
Durranis (Jadoon),
Swati tribe,
Gujjar and Mughal families, settled here from their ancestors. Besides mostly
Hindko speaking residents, there is also an outspread of
Pashto and
Gojari speaking groups in the valley.
Access
The Kaghan Valley can be reached by road via
Balakot through
Mansehra and
Abbottabad. In Balakot, public buses and other vehicular transport can be used to travel to the valley. Additionally, the Kaghan Valley can also be reached from
Peshawar or the national capital of
Islamabad by renting a car to Abbottabad or Mansehra; tourists can then order a taxi or other available methods of public transport to go to the valley.
The valley is accessible during the summer and closed to visitors during winter. This is because glaciers block the roads leading to the Kaghan during winter, although these glaciers typically melt between February and April.
Associated Folklores
Folk tale of Lalazar
The folk tale of Lala Afghani and Sohni (Lalazar) is intricately linked to the romantic saga of an Afghan youth named Lala and a local maiden named
Sohni. Rooted in the cultural fabric of the region, this narrative unfolds as Lala, while passing through the village, becomes enamored with Sohni. However, societal disapproval prevails, leading to the tragic demise of the young man at the hands of the local community.
The site of Lala's sacrifice has since gained renown as Lalazar, with "Zar" signifying the location where Lala made the ultimate sacrifice for his love. Notably, the adjacent forest is christened Sohni da Banr, translating to the forest of Sohni.
In contemporary times, Lalazar has evolved into a well-known village, emerging as a burgeoning tourist destination within the valley. Simultaneously, Sohni da Banr retains its prominence as a distinguished forest in the area, preserving the essence of the timeless tale of Lala Afghani and Sohni. The rich cultural heritage associated with Lalazar continues to attract visitors, offering a glimpse into the enduring allure of this captivating narrative.
Folk tale of Munshi and Darshi (Paras)
The romantic saga of Munshi and Darshi (Paras) unfolds against the backdrop of a renowned village called Paras in the Kaghan Valley.
During the British colonial era, Munshi, employed as a worker for a company, toiled in the local forest. It was here that he became entangled in a love affair with Darshi, a girl from the community. The clandestine meetings of Munshi and Darshi became the talk of the town, with their love story gaining prominence in the region.
However, societal resistance prevailed, and Munshi faced rejection from the locals, ultimately meeting a tragic end at their hands. The site of this fateful event garnered fame as Darshi da Banr, signifying the forest of Darshi. This woodland has since become a popular destination within the valley, celebrated for its breathtaking beauty, diverse wildlife, and suitability for hiking adventures.
See also
Sources
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Shakirullah, J Ahmad, H Nawaz (2016). Recent Archaeological Exploration of the Upper Kaghan Valley, Mansehra, Pakistan. 45th Annual Conference on South Asia.
