LIFE IN CHITRAL

For 3,000 to 4,000 years, Chitral has been the habitat of its present inhabitants. Agriculture is the main source of livelihood and employs a large part of the population. It has helped the local communities to satisfy their dietary needs. In Lower Chitral (Chitral and Drosh), two crops are sown in a year while Upper Chitral yields one crop annually. Various crops cultivated in the region include wheat, rice, barley, maize, oats, Indian millet and pulses. In vegetables, potatoes are grown in abundance. Moreover, onions, carrots, turnips, radish, tomato, cauliflower and vegetables belonging to their family are also cultivated in large quantities. Fruits are grown in plenty but not for commercial purposes. These include apples, walnuts, mulberries, pomegranates, grapes, apricots, pears and peaches. The fondness of Chitralis for flowers is depicted by the fact that many varieties of roses, narcissus and Jasmine, in addition to some other flowers are found in the place.

Farmers owe small farms, eighty percent of them surviving with less than five acres of land. A farm of fifteen acres is cherished as a large farm, and its owner honored as a big landowner. Terracing on steep slopes is carried out with small water channels for irrigation but the problem of soil erosion persists on account of the steepness. Any land that is less than 45 degrees angle would be defined by the Chitralis as 'level' land. Industry is scarce and has not yet developed. Some trade is carried on, but it pertains to the realm of small-scale items. The family income is significantly compounded by the remittances of Chitralis working in Karachi.

Poverty is the key to the economic conditions of the region. Cut the per capita income of an average Pakistani by half and the figure denotes their average income. Yet the people have made peace with their condition and one hardly comes across woe and destitution. They are reasonably dressed and have an aura of dignity about them. They are by nature peaceful, lazy, easygoing, cheerful hospitable and law-abiding citizens. This is compounded with a sharp wit and a vivacious sense of humor. The crime rate is very low and a communal spirit binds the people together. Though short in height, they are able riders and shooters. Their fair complexion and features evidence an Indo-Aryan strain.

PLACES AROUND

Upper Chitral Valley

A jeep road goes along the Mastuj River for 107 kilometers (66 miles) to Mastuj in the Upper Chitral Valley. Break your journey at Subedars village, for it offers a good camping site with plenty of water and grass. From Mastuj, cross the 3, 736 meter (12, 250 foot) Shandur Pass and camp on the meadows near the lake/river at Phandar. The Shandur Top is equally distanced from Chitral and Gilgit, the distance being about 168 km (105 miles). The only road over the pass can only be journeyed in jeeps. From January to May, it is closed for all traffic. Trekkers, mules and pedestrians however, can use it throughout the year. Resuming our journey, drive to Gilgit via Gakuch and Gupis. A two-day drive would take you from Chitral to Gilgit, and that too depends on the jeep road, whether it is open or not. If tourists intend to deviate from the main road, they must get a permit from the Deputy Commissioner.