CHITRAL
The Chitral Integrated Area Development Programme (CIADP) kicked off a cleanliness drive at Shandor following the culmination of Shandur polo festival.
Though Shandur polo festival held every year in the month of July, due to Ramazan the festival was held in June this year.
Thousands of tourists including foreigners poured in to the scenic valley to enjoy the colourful events of polo tournament at world highest group some 12500 feet above sea level, culture show, paragliding and other traditional and local games. Hence during the three days of the festival, tourists put large number of garbage and waste in the ground, causing environmental pollution. In the past the wastage had caused death of livestock due to absence of any mechanism to dispose of the wastages.
The CIADP in collaboration with Shandur Welfare Organization kicked off waste management cleanliness drive and disposed of the wastage after proper segregation. The CIADP also arranged musical and culture show at night to enthral the tourists and promote local culture. It also held a free medical camp for facilitating the tourists coming to Shandur.
DHQ Hospital medical Officer Dr Farooq told this scribe that some 350 patients were examined at the camp on daily basis. He said that Oxygen facility was also provided to patients who suffered from any respiratory diseases or having difficulty in breathing due to lack of Oxygen on high altitude.
Meanwhile, spokesman for CIADP Anwar Baig told that the organisation had collected the waste and garbage and dump it properly to maintain natural beauty of this beautiful ground.
Social and political circle of Chitral praised the CIADP step for launching cleanliness campaign which will continue for three more days to ensure cleanliness.