Kumrat Valley

Kumrat is a valley in the Upper Dir District of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. There is around 45 minutes drive to Kumrat Valley from the town of Thal on the banks of the Panjkora River. It is among the most popular tourist spots in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Every summer season, thousands of tourists from different areas of the Pakistan and abroad visit Kumrat Valley for its greenery and cool weather. Around Eid al-Fitr holidays, around 2,000 vehicles enter the region on a daily basis. It can only be accessed via four-wheel vehicles, as the road leading to it is unmetalled.

Main Attractions of Kumrat Valley

1- Kumrat Forest

It is almost 35 km range forest. Which is famous for Waterfalls, springs, Streams of fresh water and lush green jungle. Forest is richest with gigantic trees of Cedars.

2- Kala Chashma

Kala Chashma is a wide area in Kumrat forest which is famous for its spring. Its a small spring. According to local people of Kumrat its a spring of Wellness (Shifa). Here jeeps cross Panjkora River.

Features
Kumrat is covered with green pastures and snow-clad mountains. The river Panjkora, foggy mounds and forests are attractions of the region. These forests serve as habitats for variety of flora and fauna. It is located in the Upper Dir Kohistan region at the back side of which Swat Kohistan area of Gabral is located.

Another feature of Kumrat Valley is its towering Deodar forest trees located on level ground adjacent the Panjkora river. At several places, the Panjkora River divides into channels, on the banks of which a few makeshift camping spots offer accommodation to tourists. There are several waterfalls there as well. Kala Chashma (Black Spring) is also located there.

Deforestation
Deodar forest is fast depleting in Dir Kohistan Valley and it continues unhindered as the locals claim that they have no other source of fuel for heating and cooking purposes in the harsh winter season. The people of Kohistan Valley had offered the government in the 2010s that they were ready stop cutting Deodar trees if they were provided with a natural gas facility. However, the government did not pay any heed to their demand.