Written by: Muhammad Awais
Posted on: March 03, 2021 | 
| 中文
Samundar Katha Lake
One of the current government’s key agenda’s has been the development and promotion of tourism in Pakistan. This has not just included the maintenance of current tourist sites, but also the establishment of new places, particularly in the lesser known areas of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). Samundar Katha Lake was one such initiative, created by the local (KP) Government to generate more activity in the already popular and bustling Galiyat area.
People were left astounded by the breathtaking images of a clean, peaceful lake set against beautiful hills. Throngs of travelers ventured to this new destination to see the site, especially because of its proximity to Murree and Islamabad. Unfortunately, visiting the site some time after its initial launch and excitement, one finds stark examples of mismanagement and neglect which could have been avoided through better planning.
The Lake from the Entrance
The artificial lake has been open to the public since 2019, and is located in Barra Gali. The project initially began under the Forestry Department of the KP Government, but was later taken over by a private contractor. The Lake lies about 30 minutes on the outskirts of Nathia Galli’s main bazaar, on the path toward the city of Abbottabad. The initial road to Barra Galli is smooth and easy to manage, and travelers can stop to dip their toes in the many gushing streams located a little off the path. But the last leg of the track is a rough dirt road, and certain cars may have some difficulty maneuvering to the parking space. Some can also pay locals to take them to the lake.
A Stream on the Way (photo credits to the current)
Samundar Katha Lake itself is a small, beautiful emerald green lake lies between two lush hills, and is surrounded by the picturesque Murree valley. There is a small shop by the edge of the lake, where tourists gather to enjoy the water. Standing on the bridge, the view of the red huts against the rolling hills is quite remarkable. Behind the bridge is a small sitting area under the running water for picnics or a small break. The government has even introduced local fish species for fishing purposes.
Activities around the lake including boating, zip lining, horse riding and camping. Locals are also grateful that this new site has generated some revenue during lockdown. While some of us enjoyed a quiet cup of tea while listening to the gushing water, the more adventurous enjoyed zip lining over the lake, and getting the opportunity to see some stunning areal views of the Galiyat. There are also small villages not too far from the area, where one can find smaller waterfalls and workshops as the locals rely on woodwork and masonry for their revenue.
Zip Lining (photo credits to the current)
However, despite the great location and the plethora of activities on the lake, travelers have been largely disappointed by its size and the lack of upkeep of the premises. Barring the difficult route to get there, those who came after the rainy season were particularly disheartened to find low water levels and large rocks further shrinking the already small lake. There were only a few corners where one could take great pictures, but the overall area was not as grand as the government had advertised it to be.
Tourists Waiting for a Boat
The shrinking size, along with the unregulated groups of people and constant littering, can create a more stressful, noisy experience than desired. There is also a lack of washroom facilities and electricity, and not all activities could take place in such cramped quarters.
Visitors on the Bridge
In short, while Samundar Katha Lake is a quaint and serene place for a visit, one need only stay there for a short time, especially when there are more interesting things to do in the Galiyat. This ambitious project has unfortunately failed to live up to its initial hype due to a lack of foresight and attention to infrastructure. If the local government wishes for Samundar Katha Lake to stay operational in the future, perhaps an expansion of the area, creation of better roads and upkeep of the area will be needed to sustain this site.
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