BROGHIL FESTIVAL-2011 (16th July to 18th July)

BROGHIL FESTIVAL-2011 (16^th July to 18^th July)

CHIANTAR WELFARE SOCIETY, BROGHIL

(CWSB)

1. Introduction:

Located at a distance of 250 km from main Chitral town, the Broghil valley is the Northern most valley of Chitral district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. By virtue of its strategic location having both internal and international borders, Broghil is one of the most important valleys in the region. Towards the north the valley is connected with famous Wakhan Strip of Afghanistan through the famous “Broghil Pass”. Another important pass “Darwaza” connects Broghil with Afghanistan in the North-west. Broghil pass for the large part of the year remains open for the to and fro movement of the communities, as the population of both sides have familial and tribal relationship with each other since centuries. In the southeast direction the valley is connected with Yasin valley of Gilgit Baltistan region via Darkot Pass. Towards east the valley joins the Karumbar valley through famous Karumbar pass towards Ghizer district of Gilgit Baltistan. In the south Broghil joins the main valley of Yarkhun towards Mastuj and Chitral town. The valley runs narrowly from southwest to northeast along the Broghil River with high mountains on both sides. The stable and somehow open slopes on both sides of the river provide space for settlement and agriculture practices. The valley is comprised of high mountain peaks, wide plains, steep slopes and deep canyons inhabited by “Wakhi” people. It covers a total area of 124964 hectors. The history of Broghil dates back to centuries when communities from different tribal backgrounds i.e. Wakhan, Tajikistan, China etc started pouring into the Broghil valley while searching for rich pastures and safe refuge.

2. Broghil Festival-2011: (A brief Background)

With its lash green meadows, snow clad sky high peaks, mesmerizing Qurambar lake, fascinating wetlands and unique and unexplored Broghil is place with immense tourism potential. To harness the tourism potential of the valley the Chiantar Welfare Society Broghil back in 1999 started Broghil festival. The underlying objectives of this festival are to promote cultural dynamics and aesthetic value of Broghil among tourists and nature loving groups and individual. Since its inception in 1999 the festival is playing vital role not only in promoting cultural values of the valley but is also contributing in supporting the pastoral based economy of the valley. Since the start of the festival tourist influx has increased many folds.

But to the dismay of local population of Broghil the festival was banned through presidential directives in 2007 for unknown reasons. The ban remained effective for two years i.e. 2007-09.

Later on, through the hectic efforts of Chiantar Welfare Society Broghil and Pakistan Wetlands the ban was lifted in 2010. During 2010 large number of tourists including media persons from GEO TV, PTV and representatives of press also participated in Broghil festival and extended coverage to the events of festival. This further enhanced the magnetism of the festival.

The festival is playing a pivotal role in highlighting the natural exquisiteness of Broghil alongside promoting its unique cultural contrasts both at national and international level.

Besides, the festival is also proving helpful in creating income generating opportunities to resource constrained communities of Broghil valley.

This year too Chiantar Welfare Society Broghil (CWSB) in collaboration with its partners including Pakistan Wetlands Programme, Sarhad Tourism Development Corporation, HASHOO Foundation, Walk About Development Solution and AKRSP is planning to celebrate Broghil Festival from July 16-18, 2011.

3. Existing Sport Events of Broghil Festival 2011includes the following

v Buz Kashi

v Yak Polo

v Yak Race

v Polo

v Horse Race

v Mountain Marathon

v Tug of War

v Mountain Football

v Women Horse and Yak race

v Paragliding by Paraglide Association team

4. Cultural Activities of Broghil Festival 2011 includes the following Events

v Wakhi Music with Daaf and flute

v Women traditional songs, dance with cultural dress

v Wakhi Traditional items, handicrafts, utensils etc display by Women folk

v Wakhi Foods Display by Wakhi women folk

5. Tourism potential at Broghil Valley:

Tourism especially eco-tourism plays a meaningful role in the socio-economic uplift of local communities in rural mountain areas. Broghil valley has all basic ingredients for eco-tourism promotion as mean of livelihood and subsistence. Broghil is famous for its unique wetlands ecosystem and cultural diversity. Besides, availability of trained human resource to manage tourists locally further adds to the tourism attraction of the Broghil valley.

The wetlands ecosystem of Broghil is comprised of more than 35 high alpine lakes, Peatlands and hot springs. To facilitate the incoming tourists the Chiantar Welfare Broghil in Collaboration with Pakistan Wetlands Programme and KPK Wildlife Department has established four camping sites in Broghil valley. In brief the tourism attractions of Broghil include following features:

The tourism attractions of the valley include following socio-ecological features:

Passes: Broghil is home to some world famous passes. Some of the passes frequently used by the local communities for trans boundary movement are listed below:

o Darkhot Pass: It connects Broghil valley with Yasin valley of Gilgit-Baltistan in the east.

o Sukhtarabad Pass: This pass connect Broghil valley with Ishkiman valley of GB and also connects Broghil valley with Chupursan via Chilinji Pass

o Qarambar Pass: It connects Broghil valley with the highest plateau of the world called the little Pamir

o Darwaza/Broghil Pass: It is also called a window into central Asia. It is a historical pass and was part of the well known silk route.

Hot springs: Unique hot springs are found scattered through out the length of Broghil valley. The presence of these springs adds to the natural beauty of Broghil valley. The well known hot springs of the valley are:

o Hot Springs of Garamchasma. Garamchasma is one of the largest villages of Broghil valley. It is name is also derived from two words Garam meaning hot and Chasma meaning spring.

o Hot spring of Garil villages.

Historical Places:

o The ruins of Historical Forte of famous Wakhi Ruler Ali Mardan are also found in Broghil valley

o In ancient times pilgrims from Turkey and other adjacent Countries used to travel through Broghil valley. Ancient graveyards of Turks are also found in Garil and Chikar village of Broghil

o Teerdast is also a famous historical places located in the upper part of Lashkargaz village of Broghil. The place is famous for its hanging arrows from the solid rock and the name Teerdast also originates from these hanging arrows. In Wakhi dialect Teer means arrow. There different myths associated with these arrows.

High alpine lakes (more than 35 biologically active lakes)

o The majestic Qurambar lake on Chitral-Gilgit Borader

o Surkheen Lake near Darwaza Paza

o Biban Xheoye

o Khinin Xheoye and much more

Famous mountain peaks (above 20000ft)

o Miankoh peak at Kishmanjh

o Qurambar peak

o Khoye peak

Famous glaciers:

o Chiantar Glacier (33 KM long)

o Chati Boye Galcier

The Pony Trekking route of Broghil is one of the world famous trekking routes. Before the advent of 9/11 incidents hundreds of foreign tourists used to travel on this trekking route. Besides, the wide stretched Peatlands and grasslands of Chikar, Chilmarabad and Lashkargaz villages of Broghil furthers adds to the beauty of the valley.

However, despite having such enormous potential to tourists are still reluctant to visit Broghil valley. This is due to poor infrastructure and lack of basic tourist facilities in the valley. To promote eco-tourism establishment of tourist camping site at suitable places in Broghil is indispensible. To boost tourism sector in the valley as livelihood diversification mean the NAWC-PWP has established four camping ground and equipped tourist camping site in Broghil valley with the basic necessities.

Objectives: The main objective of Broghil Festival:

The overall and long term goal of the festival is to promote the soft image of Islamic Republics of Pakistan to outside world. Besides, the festival also tries to achieve following short term objectives:

o Diversification of local livelihood means through sports and cultural activities

o Engage the locally trained human resource in productive means of income generation

o Encourage national and international tourist to plan their schedule to Broghil valley

o To promote Wakhi Culture and indigenous sports in the valley

o To provide social platform and alternate activities against drug

o To highlight the issues and constraint faced by the Broghil communities

o To encourage the sports lovers and youths of the region

o Promote the unique cultural heritage of the valley

Anticipated outputs of the activity

o Basic infrastructure to support tourism in the valley is available

o Local livelihood means are diversified

o Household income of the site owners and trained porters augmented

o National and international tourist influx in Broghil valley increased

o Sports lovers will be encouraged

camping sites in Broghil valley

o Kishmanja, Broghil

o Chilmarabad, Broghil

o Lashkargaz, Broghil

o Chikar, Broghi

We are leading an expedition to Shandoor and beyond onwards to Broghil pass to see the Broghil festival from 16^th to 18^th July 2011.

Friends are requested to join us and promote our cause for ecotourism and adventure hiking.

Dr. Babur Zahiruddin

Ecologist

Shandoor and Beyond

DARKOT PASS

Darkot Pass
Elevation	15,430 ft (4,703 m)
Location
Location	Pakistan
Range	Hindukush Mountains
Coordinates	36°44′42″N 73°25′59″ECoordinates: 36°44′42″N 73°25′59″E

Darkot pass (el. 15,430 ft., open May thru October) is a high mountain pass that connects Broghil valley in Chitral to the Ghizar valley (Yasin tehsil of Ghizer district) in Gilgit in Pakistan. It is also known under the name Darkut.

The pass is about 10 miles to the east of Koyo Zom (Zum) peak (6872m), the highest peak in Ghizer district. The border between Chitral and Northern Areas runs through the pass over Darkot Glacier. 8 miles to the south is village Darkot (11 miles north of Barkulti) on the River Darkot (small tributary of Ghizar river). To the northeast of the pass is Chitral (Yarkhun river valley). 10 miles to the NW of the pass is village Chilmarabad, just one miles south of Boroghil pass.

Broghol, also spelled Broghil, Boroghil and several other ways, (el. 3798 m./12,460 ft.) is a high mountain pass that crosses the Hindu Kush and connects the Wakhan Corridor of Afghanistan with Chitral in Pakistan.

Broghol is a relatively low pass. It was closed for about three months each winter because of snow, but for much of the rest of the year it was passable even for cart traffic.

It is one of the four major mountain passes entering Chitral; the others are the Dorah Pass from Badakshan in Afghanistan, Shandur Top from Gilgit, andLowari Top from Dir in Pakistan.

The area of Broghol is inhabited by Wakhi and Kyrgyz people.

Broghol
Elevation	3,798 m (12,461 ft)
Location
Location	Pakistan / Afghanistan
Range	Hindu Kush
Coordinates	36°53′N 73°21′E

TRIP TO SHANDOOR AND BEYOND

This year again as usual we are embarking on another hiking and trekking expedition to Shandoor and beyond………

The aims and objective of this expedition is to highlight the short route from Pakistan to Tajikistan via the Broghil Pass into the Wakkhan Corridor and across into Tajikistan.

Last year we took the route from Chitral to Mastooj valley to Kashmanja, Lashkar Gah and Teri Dasth but because of inclement weather and bad road conditions we could not complete our track tour to Broghil pass.

This year we have chosen a different route from Goupis to Darkot Pass to Ishkomin Valley to Maranjah on to Lashkargah to Teri Dasht.

My initial reconnaissance of the road conditions show that up to darkot pass we can go on an ordinary vehicle and onwards we need a good 4/4 vehicle / off road.

The detail itinerary is given below and subject to slight modification from Darkot and beyond.

You are invited to come and join the expedition subject to your physical fitness and willingness to be a happy member and part of our team.

Expected expenditure

The estimated expenditure per participants may vary from 30000 to 35000/-

This includes transportation / hotel stay / messing / camping / horse fare / Jeep transportation, local tolls from ISB to DARKOT & Back.

Last date of confirmation.

In case you are interested please confirm your participation before 15^th June 2011.

RAZA SAFARI TOUR ITINERARY JULY 2011

Date	Destinations From	To	Night Stay
03rd July 2011	Assembly in RWP / ISB		At own
04th July 2011	RWP / ISB	Chilas (482 km)	Hotel
05th July 2011	Chilas ****	Gilgit (255 Km)	Hotel
06th July 2011	Gilgit	Local Visit	Hotel
07th July 2011	Gilgit	Shandoor	Camping
08th July 2011	Shandoor	Local visit	Camping
09th July 2011	Shandoor	Gakuch	Hotel
10th July 2011	Gakoch	Chatoorkhand to Ilmit	Camping
	Ilmit	Mastanger to Dharkot pass	Camping
11th July 2011	Dharkot Pass	Kashmanjha	Camping
12th July 2011	Kashmanjha	Teri Dasht (Broghil) Valley	Camping
13th July 2011	Teri Dasht (Broghil) Valley	Local Visit	Camping
14th July	Teri Dast	Broghil	Camping
15th July	Broghil	Dharkot Pass	Camping
16th July	Darkot to	Ghakosh	Hotel
17th July	Ghakoch to	Gupis / Gilgit	Hotel
18th July	Gilgit to	Chilas *****	Hotel
19th July	Chilas to	Islamabad	Home

***** 04^th July 2011 Night stay at Chillas may be omitted if we make good time and can reach Gilgit the same day.

***** 18^th July 2011, If we are before schedule then a quick trip to the fairy meadows may be possible.

This is the tentative tour itinerary for our up coming trekking expedition to Broghil Pass on the Wakkan Corridor.

Note:

The dates from 09^th July 2011 to 14^th July may vary as to the road conditions / weather conditions and fitness of the participants / members and the local topographic conditions.

Prelude to the Trip

Thing to take with you

Personal.

• Joggers, trainers, or hiking boots up to ankle high
• 03 pairs of towel socks white colour
• cap , jungle cap , sola cap
• Sun glasses
• Sun block with S.P.F 50 , anti sun block
• Shooting jacket
• Jeans , trousers , track suit shalwar kameez
• T- shirt , sweat shirts
• Vests , u / wear Bermuda shorts
• Shock proof wrists watch , pocket compass
• Rechargeable flash light and torches
• Personal medication
• Towel handkerchief and towels
• Chappal and moccasins
• Mosquito repellants / sprays
• Personal back pack
• Warm Clothes jacket / Pullover / Sweaters
• Sleeping Bags
• Ground Sheet
• Walking stick / Mountain Stick
• Digital Camera / Movie Camera

EQUIPMENT:-

Provided by the Organizer

• Tents ground sheet / sleeping bags Optional
• Pick and shovel
• Cooking utensils

Gas stove, frying pan, disposable glasses, plastic glasses, plates, fruit knife or sauce pan

• Walkie /talkie , vehicle mobile charger
• Generator
• Masalas, condiments , salt , cooking oil , wheat flour , sugar tea bags , powder milk and rice
• Tinned fruits cocktails , meat balls , minced meat , meat curry , fish
• Biscuit saltish and fancy as per your liking loads and loads of them
• Cold drinks , mineral water in plastic bottles

• Whistle & mega phone
• G.P.R.S phone (If available)
• Maps general map , topo graphic map , contour map.
• To top it all by 4 x 4 vehicle / Toyotta Hiace Ace / Hi Roof
• First Aid Kit

Daily Trek Notes

ü Reach your next destination point before sunset under no circumstances should you over stretched your self or travel at night.

ü Please mark your route before you start your journey

ü There should be a talc sheet over your map with markings

ü Permanent marker: - Plan your trek in such away that you are able to make it to your next point with in that day before sunset.

Preparations for the Trip

Please start walking and exercise daily by covering 1 mile distance in 15 minutes.

Climb 50 stairs in 10 – 12 minutes

Carry a load of 05 - 10 kg on your back for half to 1 hour

Determination

Remember this is a chance to see Mother Nature at its best and those areas of Pakistan where less than 10 % of the population has gone.

So be determined and make a resolve to complete this trip as a challenge for the out doors.

Dr. Babur Zahiruddin

0332-4923235