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.
3. 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.
4.
5.
6. Analysis of Tourism Potential of Salt Range
Strong Points:
• Easy accessibility
M-2 Passing through the heart of Salt Range
7. Analysis of Tourism Potential of Salt Range
Strong Points:
• Fantastic Landscape
8. Analysis of Tourism Potential of Salt Range
Strong Points:
• Record of 600 million years of the earth’s history
9. Analysis of Tourism Potential of Salt Range
Strong Points:
• Varying ecosystems, rich flora and fauna and
Wetlands of International Importance
10. Ucchali Lake Khabbeki Lake Kallar Kahar Lake
Namal Lake
Jhalar Lake SALT RANGE WETLANDS COMPLEX
11. Analysis of Tourism Potential of Salt Range
Strong Points:
• Number of historical sites and remains of ancient settlements
12. Analysis of Tourism Potential of Salt Range
Strong Points:
• Number of sites of cultural interest
22. 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)
23. Objectives of Ecotourism Product Development
Conservation of Biological
& Cultural Diversity
Sharing Socio-economic
Minimization of Tourism’s
Own Environmental Impact Ecotourism Benefits
with Local Community
Visitors Satisfaction
24. Ecotourism as a market Segment
Tourist
Market
Cultural Rural Nature Adventure Business Leasure
Tourism Tourism Tourism Tourism Travel Travel
Ecotourism
25. Thank You
Aftab ur Rehman Rana
President
Sustainable Tourism Foundation Pakistan
Email: stfpak@gmail.com
