Prof. Sajid H.Khan
BEE KEEPING IN NARAN
Naran (Urdu: ناران) is a town in Kaghan Valley, Mansehra District of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. The Kunhar River, swollen by glacier melt, passes through this town as it meanders its way through the valley. Makra Peak, Malka Parbat, Lalazar and Saiful Muluk are the main attractions.
Fishing Trout fishing is a popular activity in the Kaghan Valley. Fishing for brown and rainbow trout in the crystal clear water of the valley lakes and in the Kunhar River is favorite pastime for many. A fishing permit can be obtained from the Fisheries Department at Shinu or at Naran. Bringing your own angling gear is optional as you can rent equipment fro shopkeepers in Naran Bazaar. Please remember that the use of fishing nets and explosive materials for fishing in rivers and lakes are illegal as they are harmful for the healthy and sustainable growth of trout fish and other wildlife.
Fishing is the chief sport in Kaghan. Brown Trout and Mahasher are stocked in pure silvery waters in the upper parts of the valley. The Kunhar river trout is considered to be the best throughout the sub-continent. Fishing licenses are issued by the 'Fisheries Department at Naran' or by the 'Trout Hatchery' at Shinu. Apart from this there are some other private trout fish farms at Kawai (also spelled as Kiwai) and Kahania.
Trekking and Hill Walking Kaghan is an excellent destination for trekking and hill walking. There are a number of trekking routes all along the valley. Brief descriptions of some famous trekking routes are given in Annexure-IV. Naran, Shogran and Sharan are ideal base camps for one to three days outings. There are also good opportunities for those interested in more leisurely day trips, hill walking or nature study walks.
River Rafting River Rafting and kayaking are new sports currently under development along the Kunhar River. As the lifeline of Kaghan Valley, Kunhar River is excellent for rafting. Some sections between Naran are quite technical and suitable only for experienced white water paddlers. Other sections of the river, above Naran and below Balakot, are fun for beginners and are of relatively easy grade. Adventure Foundation Pakistan offers basic and advanced training courses in river running during October and April.
Jeep Safari In addition to short duration jeep rides to Sri Paya, Saiful Muluk, Lalazar and Sharan, Kaghan Valley also ideal for thrilling jeep rides from Naran to Babusar Pass and Nori Top. All these places are unique in landscape and their details are given in the Introduction section. While going on a longer duration jeep ride make sure you have selected a good local driver and jeep for a safe journey on the rough roads.
Kunhar river in Naran during the month of June as viewed from PTDC motel
Naran is a base camp for tourists. Usually tourists stay at Naran to visit popular tourist spots nearby such as Lake Saif-ul-Malook and Lalazar which can only be accessed via 4x4 jeeps which can be hired for day excursions.
The mountain ranges which enter Mansehra district from Kashmir are the offshoots of the great Himalayan system. In Kaghan valley the mountain system is the highest of the area including the Babusar top. This range flanks the right bank of the Kunhar, contains a peak (Malika-e-Parbat) of over 17,000 feet , the highest in the district. On the mountains the grasslands are also found where Gujars and other nomads migrate during summer for grazing their sheep, goats and other animals. On the northern side there are mountains which are the extension of the same mountain system as that of Kaghan mountains. This range diverges from the eastern side at Musa-ka-Musalla a peak (13,378 feet) , which skirt the northern end of the Bhogarmang and Konsh valleys, and sends down a spur to divide the two. Here also, like Kaghan, thick forests are found especially on the higher slopes. Due to extensive exploitation only in unapproachable areas the thick forests are found.
Malika Parbat (Queen of the mountains) (el. 5,290 metres (17,356 ft)) is the highest peak in Kaghan Valley, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan about six km south of Lake Saiful Muluk near Ansoo Lake.
The entire area is heaven for general tourists, anglers, trekkers and alpinists. Malika Parbat is accessible from Naran-Lake Saiful Muluk side and from Batakundi-Dadar Chitta Glacier. There are three summits that forms Malika Parbat, Malika Parbat Cresta, Malika Parbat Main Peak (South Peak) and Malika Parbat (North Peak). Both the summits stands climbed firstly by the Europeans and in 1998 by Rashid Butt and Omer. Rashid Butt lost his life while descending down the sheer slopes on South Peak. There are other peaks which offer considerable climbing difficulty in Siran Basin, Khabanar Valley and Burji Va-lley, while from Burawai, another cirqua of low peaks is equally good for mountaineering.
BEE KEEPING IN NARAN
Naran (Urdu: ناران) is a town in Kaghan Valley, Mansehra District of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. The Kunhar River, swollen by glacier melt, passes through this town as it meanders its way through the valley. Makra Peak, Malka Parbat, Lalazar and Saiful Muluk are the main attractions.
Fishing Trout fishing is a popular activity in the Kaghan Valley. Fishing for brown and rainbow trout in the crystal clear water of the valley lakes and in the Kunhar River is favorite pastime for many. A fishing permit can be obtained from the Fisheries Department at Shinu or at Naran. Bringing your own angling gear is optional as you can rent equipment fro shopkeepers in Naran Bazaar. Please remember that the use of fishing nets and explosive materials for fishing in rivers and lakes are illegal as they are harmful for the healthy and sustainable growth of trout fish and other wildlife.
Fishing is the chief sport in Kaghan. Brown Trout and Mahasher are stocked in pure silvery waters in the upper parts of the valley. The Kunhar river trout is considered to be the best throughout the sub-continent. Fishing licenses are issued by the 'Fisheries Department at Naran' or by the 'Trout Hatchery' at Shinu. Apart from this there are some other private trout fish farms at Kawai (also spelled as Kiwai) and Kahania.
Trekking and Hill Walking Kaghan is an excellent destination for trekking and hill walking. There are a number of trekking routes all along the valley. Brief descriptions of some famous trekking routes are given in Annexure-IV. Naran, Shogran and Sharan are ideal base camps for one to three days outings. There are also good opportunities for those interested in more leisurely day trips, hill walking or nature study walks.
River Rafting River Rafting and kayaking are new sports currently under development along the Kunhar River. As the lifeline of Kaghan Valley, Kunhar River is excellent for rafting. Some sections between Naran are quite technical and suitable only for experienced white water paddlers. Other sections of the river, above Naran and below Balakot, are fun for beginners and are of relatively easy grade. Adventure Foundation Pakistan offers basic and advanced training courses in river running during October and April.
Jeep Safari In addition to short duration jeep rides to Sri Paya, Saiful Muluk, Lalazar and Sharan, Kaghan Valley also ideal for thrilling jeep rides from Naran to Babusar Pass and Nori Top. All these places are unique in landscape and their details are given in the Introduction section. While going on a longer duration jeep ride make sure you have selected a good local driver and jeep for a safe journey on the rough roads.
Kunhar river in Naran during the month of June as viewed from PTDC motel
Naran is a base camp for tourists. Usually tourists stay at Naran to visit popular tourist spots nearby such as Lake Saif-ul-Malook and Lalazar which can only be accessed via 4x4 jeeps which can be hired for day excursions.
The mountain ranges which enter Mansehra district from Kashmir are the offshoots of the great Himalayan system. In Kaghan valley the mountain system is the highest of the area including the Babusar top. This range flanks the right bank of the Kunhar, contains a peak (Malika-e-Parbat) of over 17,000 feet , the highest in the district. On the mountains the grasslands are also found where Gujars and other nomads migrate during summer for grazing their sheep, goats and other animals. On the northern side there are mountains which are the extension of the same mountain system as that of Kaghan mountains. This range diverges from the eastern side at Musa-ka-Musalla a peak (13,378 feet) , which skirt the northern end of the Bhogarmang and Konsh valleys, and sends down a spur to divide the two. Here also, like Kaghan, thick forests are found especially on the higher slopes. Due to extensive exploitation only in unapproachable areas the thick forests are found.
Malika Parbat (Queen of the mountains) (el. 5,290 metres (17,356 ft)) is the highest peak in Kaghan Valley, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan about six km south of Lake Saiful Muluk near Ansoo Lake.
The entire area is heaven for general tourists, anglers, trekkers and alpinists. Malika Parbat is accessible from Naran-Lake Saiful Muluk side and from Batakundi-Dadar Chitta Glacier. There are three summits that forms Malika Parbat, Malika Parbat Cresta, Malika Parbat Main Peak (South Peak) and Malika Parbat (North Peak). Both the summits stands climbed firstly by the Europeans and in 1998 by Rashid Butt and Omer. Rashid Butt lost his life while descending down the sheer slopes on South Peak. There are other peaks which offer considerable climbing difficulty in Siran Basin, Khabanar Valley and Burji Va-lley, while from Burawai, another cirqua of low peaks is equally good for mountaineering.