CHITRAL: The three-day colourful Broghil festival kicked off at Broghil National Park in the picturesque Chitral valley on Thursday.
Earlier, the festival, organised by the Tourism Corporation Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (TCKP) and the Upper Chitral district administration, was scheduled on September 6 to 8, but it had to be postponed for a week due to the month of Muharramul Haram.
The festival will include various activities, including horse, yak and donkey polo, cricket, football, buzkashi, marathon race, tug-of-war, wrestling, music, fireworks and other local and traditional games.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Senior Minister for Sports and Tourism Atif Khan had directed the Tourism Corporation and the district administration to make proper arrangements for highlighting different aspects of the ancient and unique Wakhi culture.
The TCKP Managing Director Junaid Khan said proper arrangements have been made for the event. He said a large number of tourists have arrived in Chitral to enjoy the festival. He said a tent village has already been established near the venue of the festival to facilitate the tourists. The official said opportunities have also been explored for tourists to participate in the thrilling adventure tourism activities in the remote scenic spot. Yak polo is played at an altitude of 13,600 feet above the sea level in Broghil valley. Yak sellers arrived in Broghil to arrange yaks to those interested in playing yak polo.
Broghil is the home of Chiantar glacier surrounded by many other glaciers, which feed the Chitral River while the Kurambar Lake is said to be biologically active lake supporting a wide range of diversity.
The Broghil valley, bordering the Wakhan corridor of Afghanistan, is situated about 250 kilometres from Chitral city. Its extended glaciers, incredible wildlife, scattered wetlands, rich wilderness, green meadows and mighty mountains are the main tourism potential of the area.
Established in 2010, the Broghil National Park is a treasure of wild indigenous and migratory fauna especially of Pamirian and Siberian bird species. The valley has about 30 freshwater lakes of various sizes, which present lovely scenery. Tourists are highly enjoying the festival. However, some of them complained about poor condition of roads which is old problem in the area. However, it is hard for the tourist to resist the temptation to visit the picturesque valley.
