SHANGLA. Serenity, green backdrop, eye-catching views, and high mountains have prompted tourists from across the country to throng the Burj Banda area of Shangla district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during the week-long Eid holidays.

Burj Banda is located some 60 kilometres away from the Shangla top. The land in the area is owned by the provincial government and local people.

Local people have set up camps and hotels in the area like other tourist spots across the country. They also set up kiosks and shops near roads to sell fruits and cold drinks when the tourist influx is increased.

Though the government has constructed the 4.5kms track from Lugy to Burj Banda, the road connectivity is yet to be made suitable for vehicles other than four-wheelers. PTI’s MPA Shaukat Yousafzai last year had announced the government’s decision to construct the roads linking the tourist destination in one year. However, there are still bumpy roads.

He had stressed the need for tapping the tourism potential of Shangla as according to estimates as thousands of rupees of revenue was generated by the local people in two months during Eid in 2021.

“I think everyone should come here as there is so much peace, serenity, beauty, a clean climate, and greenery,” Amjad Sadique, a journalist from Islamabad.

Moreover, the Burj Banda track also connects with two lakes namely Bashigram and Takht-e-Bara. People can reach the second lake in four hours by walk as the track does not favour vehicles.

“This is such an area… as I have never seen such a beautiful place in my life,” said tourist Tahir Khoshnood.

Sialkot resident Ghulam Haider apart from appreciating the natural beauty also praised the locals for good nature and hospitality.

Locals have urged the provincial authority to bring the 30kms track from Karora, another Shangla area, to Lugy, which goes to Burj Banda, to the National Highway Authority in order to complete the tourist potential of the area. They told Aaj News that such a decision would help in the increased the flow of tourists and empower people through livelihoods.