Tourists throng snow-covered hill tops in Dir after heavy snowfall

F.P. Report

TIMERGARA: Local tourists on Sunday thronged the scenic snow-covered Laram Top in Adenzai after heavy snowfall on Friday and Saturday. Local and outside tourists, majority of them children and youth were seen on the top to enjoy the snowy environment in a shining sunny afternoon. Most of tourists walked on foot for about five kilometers to reach the Laram Top as the road leading to the 8500 feet high tourists’ destination remained closed due to heavy snowfall three days ago.

“I came from Mardan and wanted to reach the top to enjoy the snow covered area but I left my car some 5 kilometers below,” Asifullah, 20 carrying his niece on shoulders told near the hill top. He said he had come along with family to enjoy the snow covered mountain. The Laram Top is situated at an altitude of 8,500 feet in Adenzai tehsil of Lower Dir, is 185 kilometer from Peshawar and about 35 kilometers from Chakdara town. The top is famous for its coolness and lush greenery even in mid of the summer.

Local tourists from Dir Lower, Bajaur, Malakand Agency, Mardan, Barikot and Odigram Swat like to visit the top for enjoying snowy weather. Youth having ‘sitar’, ‘mangay’ (traditional music instruments) are seen holding musical shows at these spots while other perform dances on drum beats. “We feel safe and we are quite easy here,” said a physiotherapist Navidullah while talking to this reporter at Laram Top. He said that he had brought his friends and relatives in two vehicles from Timergara to enjoy the sunny weather after chilly cold.

Tourists also arrange their own meals. They bring kitchen utensils and gas cylinders to cook meal. “We are enjoying a picnic rather tour,” Mujeeb, 30, an Italy-return Talash citizen said and suggested the government and authorities of culture and tourism department should give due attention towards development of these scenic spots. He said that his friends were busy in cooking rice and chiken and they would go back after having their meal while sitting on the snow. Several families were also seen visiting an adjacent place Sia Sar in Adenzai. Talking to this scribe the visitors said they preferred Sia Sar instead of Laram Top as its road was accessible and was in good condition. “You can reach to top of Sia in your car but you cannot reach the Laram Top in car these days,” Murad Khan said, adding that Sia Sar had a few shops where visitors could buy things of their needs. A local of Kambat in Jandol, Anwarud Din told on contact that a large number of people both from Dir and outside districts had been visiting Shahi and Bin-Shahi spots bordering Afghanistan on North from Timergara. He said that bulldozers were busy in clearing road of snow at these spots.