Due to the intense heat in Punjab and Sindh, people are turning towards the beautiful regions of Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir. These picturesque areas not only bring happiness to the locals but also attract people from other provinces, providing employment opportunities.
In this season, the tourism in Gilgit-Baltistan surpasses that of Kashmir, and visitors are captivated by the breathtaking scenery, especially in Deosai, the second-highest plateau in the world. Clouds rising from the mountains add to the charm, particularly around Sheosar Lake, attracting tourists from around the globe.
The beauty of the Deosai National Park owes much to the dedicated efforts of the Wildlife Department's hardworking individuals. Recently, along with Chaudhry Tariq Jathol, an advocate, and Majid Sindhu, I visited Sheosar Lake.
Ahmed had set up a camp there, providing services to tourists. The lake, surrounded by captivating views, takes on a romantic allure during different weather conditions—sometimes with the onset of rain or the sun shining through clouds.
The lake's allure reaches its peak during moonlit nights, creating a mesmerizing sight. Those spending nights by the lake light a fire and continue to appreciate the beauty of nature throughout the night. The ambiance for dining and drinking is akin to Lahore, and spending the night in a camp is a memorable experience, even surpassing some good hotels.
I have observed many people by the lake who were experiencing camping for the first time. Speaking of Sheosar Lake, it is an Alpine lake situated in Deosai National Park, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan, located in the western part of the country.
The lake is situated at an altitude of 4,142 meters (13,589 feet). There are two routes to reach the lake: one through the Astor region and the other from Skardu. Accessing it from the Deosai Skardu Central Store City takes approximately four hours via a rugged and broken road, connecting to Chilam.
This route serves as the final residential area connected to the open fields. The second route to reach Sheosar Lake comes from Skardu, and it can be covered in a few hours by jeep. If trekking is undertaken, it may take up to two days to reach the lake.
This route is only accessible by jeep, while the journey from the store to Deosai can be easily done with regular vehicles. Let's see when Governor Gilgit-Baltistan, Mr. Syed Mehdi Shah, will complete the road construction from Skardu to Deosai. Despite his significant developmental work during his tenure, it remains to be seen when the road project will be finished.
Fortunately, Mr. Mehmood Vohra, the Chief Secretary of Gilgit-Baltistan, is a competent individual, continuing the work with dedication and ensuring its completion.
Recently, the elected Chief Minister of Gilgit-Baltistan, Haji Gulbar Khan, announced his cabinet consisting of 14 members. The cabinet includes 4 senior ministers, 8 ministers, and 2 advisers.
Among the senior ministers, Syed Amjad Zaidi has been assigned to the portfolio of Construction, Ghulam Mohammad oversees Food and Tourism, Engineer Muhammad Ismail takes charge of the Treasury, and Abdul Hamid is responsible for Municipalities.
The other ministers are Fatah Allah Khan (Development and Project Planning), Sahil Abbas (Law and Health), Shams-ul-Haq (Interior), Ghulam Shahzad Agha (Education), Dilshad Banu (Social Welfare and Women's Development), Mushtaq Hussain (Water and Electricity), Haji Rahmat Khaliq (Excise and Taxation), and Haji Shah Baig (Forest, Wildlife, and Environment).
Furthermore, Thariya Zaman, serving as the Chief Minister's Advisor on Information Technology, is also part of the cabinet. All these individuals are patriots, deeply connected to their regions and the country, expressing love and affection for the people. It is hoped that they will construct the broken and incomplete roads with beauty, allowing people to witness the paradise-like scenery of these enchanting regions.
I was talking about Sheosar Lake, and while there are numerous lakes in Gilgit-Baltistan, each more beautiful than the other, Sheosar is uniquely situated at a high altitude in Deosai National Park.
This region remains covered in snow between November and May. During the spring season, the surrounding area is adorned with a wide variety of flowers and butterflies.
Most tourists visit the lake between June and September, during the warm months. "Deosai" is a Balti word, meaning "Land of Giants," derived from local folklore, as mentioned by Miyan Muhammad Bakhsh in his poem "Saif-ul-Malook."
The fields of Deosai, situated beyond the Chang Tang Tibetan Plateau, are considered the second-highest elevated fields in the world after Tibet. This park spans an area of 843 square kilometers (325 square miles) and features rugged, thick soil with a mix of various materials and sizes of boulders and stones.
In this region, Wildlife Officer Shafqat is dedicated to serving tourists, providing assistance around the clock, and continuously informing the public with courtesy. He highlights that the establishment of Deosai National Park in 1993 was crucial for the conservation of endangered Himalayan brown bears and their habitat.
Thanks to the efforts of this department, the bear population has increased from 19 in 1993 to 78 in 2005. The Deosai Plateau is home to diverse wildlife, including Siberian Ibex, Snow Leopard, Kashmir Musk Deer, Himalayan Brown Bear, Himalayan Marmot, and over 124 species of resident and migratory birds.
Notable birds in the park include the Golden Eagle, Lammergeier, Himalayan Griffon Vulture, Laggar Falcon, Peregrine Falcon, Eurasian Kestrel, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, and Himalayan Snowcock.
In Deosai, there are rare plants such as Polygonum affine, Thalictrum alpinum, Bromeacexidoides, Saxifraga flagellaris, Androsace mucronifolia, Aster flexuosus, Barbarea vulgaris, Artemisia maritima, Helianthemum langloisii, Nepeta connata, Carex rupestris, Ranunculus latifolius, Arenaria aculeata, Arenaria, Arenicola, and Elms langloisii.
Frances expert in genetics, Michael Pässil, claims that the story of "Chionotrio" or snow-churning creatures was mentioned by the Greek historian Herodotus in the 5th century BCE. Additionally, in the documentary series "Land of the Tigers," Episode 5 - "Mountains of the Gods," the plants and animals of Deosai are also featured.
Deosai is located approximately 30 kilometers from Skardu city, which is the shortest route to reach Deosai. However, due to the damaged road, what should be a journey of minutes turns into several hours.
The authorities in Gilgit-Baltistan, like those in Punjab, can consider projects beyond plastic roads, inspired by the governance style of Punjab's Chief Minister, where various initiatives, including plastic roads, have been undertaken by Mohsin Naqvi.
In Punjab, Mohsin Naqvi has initiated numerous projects, and he has also made a principled decision to introduce plastic roads throughout the province. In terms of inter-district roads, 107 projects will be completed within three months. Experts suggest that plastic roads, when compared to traditional roads like Tarkool Road, tend to be more durable.
Roads made by mixing plastic in Tarkool do not deteriorate quickly. Currently, 137 projects for the rehabilitation of 2,600 kilometers of roads are completed in Punjab.
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