GDA setting up parks, installing chairlifts to attract tourists

ABBOTTABAD: The Galiyat Development Authority (GDA) is setting up five big parks and installing chairlifts to attract more tourists to the scenic Galiyat region.
Speaking at the concluding ceremony held in connection with the week-long cleanliness drive at Nathiagali, GDA Director Raza Ali Habib said that they had launched a number of uplift projects, including reconstruction of tracks, renovation of parks and general cleanliness, which would help promote tourism in the region.
He said that besides dustbins and drums, waste treatment plant would also be installed to ensure proper cleanliness in the serene spots.
General Manager (Administration) Tourism Corporation Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (TCKP) Sajjad Hameed was the chief guest while a large number of officials from different departments, civil society members, journalists, local residents and students attended the ceremony.
Raza Ali said that most of the development projects would be completed at the end of September and the area would then definitely wear a clean and beautiful look. “We are establishing five big parks in Nathiagali, Ayubia, Mushkpuri, Khanispur and other areas while three tracks and five rest places would be reconstructed to facilitate the tourists,” the director told the participants.
He said that these parks would have modern facilities, including benches made of stone, dustbins, washrooms and swings for the visitors while streetlights from Dongagali to Nathiagali would also be installed.
The official said that chairlifts in Ayubia had been out of order since 1983 but they were now being repaired so that the tourists and their families could enjoy visit to the scenic region.
He said the GDA concluded agreements with the World Wide Federation (WWF) for launching development projects.
The tax at the Changagali Toll Plaza would be raised from Rs30 to Rs60, he said. The toll tax would include the cost of bags to be provided to motorists for disposing of the garbage.
He said Rs30 would be returned to the motorists on returning the bags. The step would help keep Galiyat clean and green area.
The GDA director said that cleanliness week had been successfully arranged during the first phase.
He said GDA in collaboration with the WWF would devise plans for disposing waste and improving sanitation.