DIAMER: Snowfall and freezing temperatures have prompted the local administration to close the Babusar Top – one of the most attractive tourist destinations in the country. But, some tourist operators believe that such a decision also freezes their business which otherwise could be a boost for people living in high mountains.

“Consequent upon snowfall at Babusar Top and freezing temperature during time as well, it is hereby ordered to close Babusar Top for all kind of travelling round the clock with immediate effect and till further orders,” said the notification, a copy of which is available with Aaj News, issued by the Diamer deputy commissioner on October 25.

Babusar Pass road remains open from the end of June to October every year, whereas it stays closed for the rest of the year due to heavy snowfall. The track, which is covered by mountains and hills, connects Gilgit Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and leads to the Babusar Top.

Tourists in groups every year flock to the region which is famous for its snowcapped mountains and hilly areas.

The Met Office said that the Babusar Top weather drops from minus 25 to minus 30 and icy winds reign over the area. The temperature in the low-lying Babusar valley drops from minus 15 to minus 16.

‘60% of tourists’ don’t visit GB due to Babusar Top closure

Ahmed Mir, who is one of the popular tour operators in GB, argues that keeping traffic open to the Top in winter is not an impossible task.

“Babusar is located at 13,700ft above sea level and Khunjerab Pass is located at 13,700ft above sea level while the temperature keeps falling to minus 35 there. Despite that it remains open in the winter season,” he told Aaj News.

He explained that a tourist police vehicle travels with the tourist vehicle to the Khunjerab Pass, also known as the China border, and on the way back, it brings the last vehicle with it. Contrary to this, he said the local administration keeps waiting for the closure of the Babusar Top.

“Sixty percent of tourists do not come to Gilgit-Baltistan due to the closure of Babusar Top.”

This also freezes the hospitality industry in the GB. Mir claimed that the people want to come but they are not provided with travel facilities. He highlighted the lack of tourist attraction points from Thakot, a tribal town in KP, to Raikot Bridge on the Karakoram Highway, the alternate route to GB.

The journey on this strip is long and the condition of the road is bad, he said, adding: “There is not a single good hotel on the KKH, and neither is there good food or washrooms.”

Mir said that there are spectacular views everywhere on Babusar and Naran Highway and tourists get the best hotels, food, etc.

‘Lifeline of GB tourism’

“Babusar road is considered the lifeline of Gilgit Baltistan tourism,” Hafiz Muhammad, the owner of Fairy Meadows Cottages told Aaj News. “After the construction of Babusar Road was completed, there has been a tourism revolution in GB.”

He lamented that unfortunately no measures were being taken to maintain the road in winter, prompting people like him to lock the hotels and pay the salaries of staff from their own pockets.

Like other parts of the world, Pakistan’s hospitality industry is recovering after the relaxation of Covid-induced restrictions. But, it is taking time.

There is a lot of potential for tourism in GB, according to Muhammad. “The Babusar Top is like a gateway to the scenic area in the north.”

“If the road is open then the booking is made in case of closure, and the reservation is cancelled,” Muhammad said.

‘Not a big impact’

Naiknam Karim, the president of Adventure Tours Pakistan (ATP), said that the closure does not have such an impact as the tourists have an alternate route via KKH.

Most of the travelers come via airplane, he said, adding that the alternate route is one to two hours longer than the Babusar Pass track.

“We mention this in our programme by title ‘subject to’ if pass is open,” Abida Yousuf, the executive manager of the ATP said to a query if travelers have any issue with Babusar Top being closed.

She also said that it does not have such an impact. “Dates are shifted or tourists revise their plans. It is kept in their knowledge,” Abida said.

The Karachi Desk also contributed to the story.