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The Salt Range comprise two rows of low lying rugged hills that run east to west between the Soan and Jhelum rivers from the Grand Trunk Road near Jhelum city to the River Indus near Kalabagh. This area is said to record 600 million years of the earth’s history. Its name comes from the vast deposits of rock salt exposed and mined at khewra. The salt was left behind when the sea, which extended over the Indus plains and the Potohar plateau, evaporated 600 million yeas ago. The rocks and fossils fund around the salt range provide a complete record of the history of the Earth. The Salt Range Wetlands Complex comprised of a series of adjacent lakes – Kallar Kahar, Khabbeki, Ucchali, Jhalar and Namal. These lakes provide an important wintering ground for migratory birds and is core habitat for the endemic Punjab Urial. Pakistan Wetlands Programme has launched a comprehensive project for the conservation and protection of these important lakes. Historically this region is also very rich. Alexander the Great passé through the Salt Range on his way to do battle with Porus on the banks of the Jhelum River in 326 BC. In the 3rd century BC, this area became part of Ashoka’s Buddhist Empire. Towards the end of the Buddhist period, in the 6th century AD, there was a kingdom in the Salt Range called Singhapura, probably centered at Ketas. From 7th to 10th centuries, the Salt Range Was part of powerful Kashmiri Hindu kingdom. Mahmood Ghazni invaded the region in the early 11th century. The local tribes were converted to Islam at this time. This area has a great potential of ecotourism and STFP is working with concerned stakeholders to develop program for the promotion of ecotourism in this region.
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Prospects of Ecotourism in the Salt Range
Pakistan
Aftab-ur-Rehman Rana
President, Sustainable Tourism Foundation Pakistan
Components of Tourism Product
Tourism Product
Attractions
Accommodation Accessibility
Amenities
Salt Range – Orientation The Salt Range consists of two lines of low, rugged hills that run east to west between the Soan and the Jhelum rivers, from the GT Road near Dina to the Indus near Kalabagh.
Analysis of Tourism Potential of Salt Range
Strong Points:• Easy accessibility
M-2 Passing through the heart of Salt Range
Analysis of Tourism Potential of Salt Range
Strong Points:• Fantastic Landscape
Analysis of Tourism Potential of Salt Range
Strong Points:• Record of 600 million years of the earth’s history
Analysis of Tourism Potential of Salt Range
Strong Points:• Varying ecosystems, rich flora and fauna and
Wetlands of International Importance
Kallar Kahar Lake Khabbeki LakeUcchali Lake
Namal Lake
Jhalar Lake SALT RANGE WETLANDS COMPLEX
Analysis of Tourism Potential of Salt Range
Strong Points:• Number of historical sites and remains of ancient settlements
Analysis of Tourism Potential of Salt Range
Strong Points:• Number of sites of cultural interest
Stone Age in Soon Valley
On the footsteps of Alexander
Tilla Jogian
Route of Alexander Invasion
Invasion of Mahmood of Ghaznavi
Al Beruni Calculated Circumference of the Earth- at Nandhna
Babar Conquest of India
Sher Shah Suri Invasion
Adventure Tourism in Salt Range
Concept of Ecotourism
Ecotourism is defined as a “responsible travel to natural areas which conserves the environment and improves the welfare of the local people”.
The International Ecotourism Society (TIES)
Objectives of Ecotourism Product Development
Ecotourism
Ecotourism as a market Segment
C u ltu ra lT o u rism
R u ra lT o u rism
N a tu reT o u rism
A d ve n tu reT o u rism
B u s in e ssT ra ve l
L e asu reT ra ve l
T o u ris tM a rke t
Ecotourism
Thank You
Aftab ur Rehman Rana
President Sustainable Tourism Foundation Pakistan
Email: [email protected]
