PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has handed over the camping pods in Bumburet to the Kalash Valleys Development Authority (KVDA).
Tourists can now book stays in the pods under a locally managed business model that benefits both visitors and the local community.
Officials signed a government-to-government (G2G) memorandum of understanding (MoU) at the Secretary Tourism’s office. Habibullah Arif, Director General of the Culture and Tourism Authority, and Minhasuddin, Director General of KVDA, signed the agreement. Secretary Culture, Tourism & Archaeology Dr. Abdul Samad, KVDA members, and senior tourism department officials were present.
Dr. Abdul Samad said the provincial government is implementing several projects to strengthen tourism in Chitral. These include programs to support the Kalash community and showcase their cultural festivals to the world. He noted that local management of the camping pods will improve facilities for visitors and stimulate the regional economy.
“This is a key step in preserving our natural beauty and cultural heritage,” he said.
Under the Chief Minister’s tourism vision, all development authorities are tasked with making destinations more attractive, protecting the environment, highlighting hidden tourism treasures, and ensuring that local communities gain from tourism growth.