Category Archives: Balakot
Balakot
Balakot (بالاکوٹ), is a town in Mansehra District in the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. The town was destroyed during the 2005 earthquake and was later rebuilt with the assistance of the Government of Pakistan and Saudi Public Assistance for Pakistan Earthquake Victims (SPAPEV),[1] a Saudi relief organisation. A separate project, initiated by the Government of Pakistan ‘New Balakot City’ is being developed near Mansehra, with plans to relocate the population of two Union Councils of Balakot, demarcated as a Red Zone.
Location
Balakot is located at
34°33′N 73°21′E / 34.550°N 73.350°ECoordinates: 34°33′N 73°21′E / 34.550°N 73.350°E about thirty-eight kilometres north-east of the city of Mansehra, in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. It is a historical town, a famous tourist destination of the region and the gateway to Kaghan valley of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa of Pakistan. The river Kunhar, originating from Lulusar lake, runs through the city and merges with Jhelum River just outside Muzaffarabad in Azad Kashmir.
History
Balakot has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen climate classification Cfa) with hot summers and cool winters. Rainfall in Balakot is much higher than in most other parts of Pakistan. The heaviest rainfall occurs either in late winter (February-March) associated with frontal systems, or in the monsoon season (June-August); however, all months see significant rainfall on average.
The town or village of Balakot is occupied mainly by members of the Gujjar, Awan, Swati, Syed, Turk, Mughal and Hanki tribes. Gujjar is Most Papulated in this Tehsil. It is located on the banks of the River Kunhar before it enters the Kashmir Valley. The Sikhs tried to free Mansehra in the 1818 but were met with resistance from the occupying army. As the Mansehra region fell under Sikh control, it was annexed to Punjab. The movement placed Waziristan, the Mohmand country beyond Kunhar, Chitral and Yusufzai tribes within the control and responsibility of the Indian government. Syed Ahmad Shaheed and Shah Ismail Shaheed, with the help of the Mujahadeen, including the local tribes of tehsil Balakot from Kaghan to Garhi Habibullah led many revolts and attacks against the Sikhs. At last on 6 May 1831, during a fierce battle, Syed Ahmad Shaheed and Shah Ismail Shaheed along with hundreds of their followers were killed.[4] The central mosque of Balakot is named after Syed Ahmed Shaheed. The areas includes diverse groups, the spoken languages are Hindko and Gojri.
Shogran Pakistan
Shogran (Urdu: شوگران ) is a village situated on a green plateau in the Kaghan Valley, northern Pakistan at a height of 7,749 feet or 2,362 metres above sea level.
The village was affected by the earthquake of 2005 when some buildings were damaged.[1]
Shogran is only 10 km from Kiwai village and 34 km from Balakot. The road from Islamabad to Kiwai is metalled and measures 212 km. From Shogran, you can ride a jeep or horse or hike to several picturesque places like Siri, Paye and Makra Peak. Hotels and motels are easily available at affordable costs. Mobile phone services is also available there by Telenor and Mobilink. The local people are friendly and peaceful.
History of Saiful Muluk
| English: Saif ul Maluk Lake, Kaghan Valley. in Saiful Malook National Park, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Photo by Joonas Lyytinen. (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
Saiful Muluk (Urdu: جھیل سیف الملوک) is an alpine lake located at the northern end of the Kaghan Valley (
34°52′37.34″N 73°41′37.71″E / 34.8770389°N 73.6938083°E), near the town of Naran.[1] It is in the north east of Mansehra District in the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province, Pakistan. At an altitude of 3,224 m (10,578 feet) above sea level it is amongst one of the highest lakes in Pakistan. There is also a similar named fictional story associated with the lake.
The weather here is moderate during day time while the temperature drops to negative temperatures at night.
Location
Saiful Muluk is located in District Mansehra of Hazara Division. It is about eight kilometers North of Naran,[2] in the Northern part of Kaghan valley. Malika Parbat, the highest peak in the valley is located near the lake.[3]
Physical features
Saiful Muluk was formed by glacial moraines that blocked the water of the stream passing through the valley.[4] Water from multiple glaciers around the lake feed it.[1]
History
A fairy tale called Saiful Muluk, written by the famous Sufi poet Mian Muhammad Bakhsh, is associated with the lake.[5] It is the story of the prince of Persia who fell in love with a fairy princess at the lake.[6] The impact of the lake beauty is of such extent that people believe that fairies come down to lake in full moon. A poet and writer from Balakot Dr Mujahid hussain wrote the story of Saiful Muluk in prose depicting the local version.
Ecology
Large size Brown Trouts are found in the lake weighing about seven kilograms.[7] About 26 species of vascular plant exist in the area, with Asteraceae the most commonly found specie. Other species commonly found in the region are: Ranunculaceae, Compositae, Ranunculaceae, Cruciferae, Gramineae, Apiaceae, Leguminosae, Scrophulariaceae and Polygonaceae.[1]


