3-day Kumrat Festival-2018 At Scenic Kumrat Valley Conclude Amidst Great Fun

The most awaited Kumrat Summer Sports and Cultural Festival at scenic Kumrat Valley concluded amidst great fun and heavy downpour with hundreds and thousands of tourists from all across Pakistan turned up.

DIR UPPER, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 26th Jun, 2018 ) :The most awaited Kumrat Summer Sports and Cultural Festival at scenic Kumrat Valley concluded amidst great fun and heavy downpour with hundreds and thousands of tourists from all across Pakistan turned up.

Nazim Dir Upper Sahibzada Faseehullah, AC Tanveer Ahmad, Organizing Secretary Nazim Zia-ur-Rehman, Tehsil Nazim Kalkot Malak Tajbar Khan, District Sports and Youth Officer Mukhtiar Hussain, officials of the District Administration, District Govt, a heavy contingent of security forces, police and large number of spectators were also present during the colourful closing ceremony. The visitors also enjoyed the three-day festival, scenic place and above all fireworks.

The aim and objective of the Kumrat Festival is to attract local and foreign tourist to this lush green, and unexplored fairy land to the rest of the world, Sahibzada Faseehullah said. He said for ensuring maximum facilities to the local, national and international tourists all out resources have been utilized with the aim to attract more tourists to this Almighty Allah gifted nature, a very unique in the world. He said there are more things as Pakistan is the blessed land in terms of mountains, rivers, glaciers, lakes, deserts, long coastal belts and home to many wildlife species. He said the main attraction in Kumrat valley is the unexplored beauty - Jahaz Banda Meadow - Jahaz Dand, Jahaz Banda Lake - Panjkora river - Katora Lake.

He said in the future, we have been planning to link Kumrat and Kalam valleys so that a joint venture could be established for the tourists so that after coming to Kalam or Kumrat they could easily be enjoyed the nature of both valleys.

Speaking on this occasion, Mukhtiar Hussain disclosed that to attract more youth the Directorate General Sports in a joint venture with District Administration and District Govt organized different sports activities and also allocated a grant of Rs. 2 million so that facilitate the players.

He also thanked DG Sports Junaid Khan for taking interest in this connection. He said trophies, medals, and cash prizes were also given to the players as desired by the District Nazim Sahibzada Faseehullah and DC Irfanullah Mehsud.

In cricket a total of 42 teams took part and Doon Sheringal team, having services of players from Punjab, defeated Sahibabad in a dramatically ended final by three wickets. In the Volleyball final Shahibabad defeated Timergara Tehsil by 25-23, 29-27, 21-25, 28-26 in a thrilling match. A total of 12 teams took part. In 12-teams Kabaddi event Sheringal defeated Thall by 19-13 points while the most interesting local traditional game Sakay Sheringal beat Kalkot XI.

In the thrilling Horse Riding out of 12 riders Muhammad Shah of Dankar Jandrai got first position, followed by Muhammad islam, also from Dankar Jandrai. While in the 100m race wherein 12 competitors took part Jawad of Sahibabad got first position, followed by Ismail of Sheringal.

Journey to Kumrat was a bit uncertain with only 20 percent of the road is worth driving the rest 80 percent is bumpy and despite the provincial govt a year earlier allocated 2 billion for its construction, the construction work is still continue. Most of the time there was rain so it makes the road slippery and dangerous for the visitors while a single bridge through which only a single vehicle could pass at a time and there was traffic piled up on both sides of it also created hardship.

Pakistan is one of the most blessed countries in the world where one finds mighty mountains, deserts, lush green meadows, waterfall, stream, snowcapped mountain, and streams at the same time and Kumrat Valley is blend of all such beauties. Kumrat Valley is the most scenic true gem of nature, words cannot truly describe the breathtaking beauty of this area, its gushing streams and splendid mountains. The valley is now resurging as another one of Pakistan's tourist spots. It is one of the scenic valleys of KP, and a picturesque spot for travellers. Every summer season thousands of tourists from different areas of the country visit to Kumrat valley and enjoy the greenery and cool weather.

One distinct feature of Kumrat Valley is the abundance of streams and waterfalls here. The ideal location for base camping but if you are not comfortable with camping then there are some resorts and hotel after 3 hours trekking down the town. Every night falls with more relaxing and serenity in the lap of earth. One might experience with eyes closed, just reaching into the sense of tranquility from the sound of water gushing down the hill.

Accessibility to the Kumrat Valley is tough because of some road are still under construction. Valley is in the upper reaches of Dir Kohistan and can be reached through 4X4 vehicle due to lack of properly constructed road beyond Sheringal. Meanwhile passing the Kalkot region, the commercial centre and gateway of the valley come up commonly known as Thall.

Kumrat is newly discovered place for the tourist for camping and picnic. It is relatively undeveloped picnic spot beside the fact it is likely for the tourist because of its ravishing scenic beauty. The valley also provides an option for mountaineering, trekking and rock climbing.

Similarly, it provides a base camp for a hike to an alpine glacial Katora Lake.