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CATACLYSMIC REFORMS AWAIT SHISHI VALLEY
District Chitral is situated in the North- west of the North-West
Frontier Province of Pakistan with a total area of 14850 Square km
and population of 5, 00000 with in average annual growth rate of
three percent. Chitral consists of many enchanting and fascinating
valleys. One of such beautiful and serene valley is ShiShi valley,
which is situated to the east of Drosh- the Headquarter of Chitral
Scouts and a busy commercial market of Chitral with a total area of
56586 Hectares and the total population of the valley according to
the 1998 census is 18500. Household numbers are 1800.
The valley is a combination of a number of small
valleys. The ShiShi River divides the valley in to two parts. With
the exception of few, all the mountains and hills are rich in water
resources in the form of snow, lakes, springs, and streams. The
biological diversity contributes to the economy of a substantial
part of the population. The total distance of ShiShi valley from
Drosh to Madaklasht is about forty km. Madaklasht is the last
village in the valley and has remained a picturesque picnic spot
owing to its gushing streams and lush green lands. Every year it
attracts a substantial number of tourists in the hot sizzling
season of summer.
There are four main ethnic groups in ShiShi
valley. They are from different racial stocks and speak different
languages. Pushto speaking (Pukhtoon), Khowar speaking (Chitrali),
Gujri speaking (Gujars) and Persian speaking (Madaklasht). The four
ethnic groups coexisted peacefully throughout ages. Its serene
natural beauty, abundance of water, forests, wildlife and grazing
lands embolden the beauty of the valley.
The geographical structural of the area is not
conducive for agriculture purposes. About eighty percent of the
area comprises of forests and mountains. Majority of the population
are poor, having no access to basic amenities of life. Consequently
the living standard of the people is very deplorable and most of
the people live below the poverty line. The basic necessities of
life such as education, health facilities, water supply and
infrastructure is a far cry to the inhabitants of this valley.
Income generating activities are meager and is limited to wood
cutting and little agricultural activities. A small percentage of
workforces are in the public sector such as education and other
government services.
In this age of scientific advancement and
technical know how, this valley still presents a gloomy picture.
The economic, social and political indicators are at the lowest
ebb. Education, which enlightened and broadened the minds –
transforming the society into liberal, modern and educated citizens
are no more there. Only two high schools are functioning with
limited teaching staff, which can not cope with increasing
population of the neglected valley. The government, so far, has
paid lip service to the pressing problems such as poverty,
unemployment and illiteracy. These all, manifold the already
existing problems of the impoverished segment of society. So far
there is no private institution to cater the large uneducated and
frustrated population of the valley.
Information and knowledge is reaching at nook
and corner of the world, but the access of ShiShi residents to the
health facilities is a far cry. No proper health institution is
working except a single basic health unit in tar, with limited
health facilities. Consequently, majority of the inhabitants suffer
from both endemic and epidemic diseases. Therefore, child mortality
rate is the highest in this valley of district Chitral. People face
serious problems to reach their patients to the other parts of the
district.
The infrastructure situation has also in a
deplorable condition. There is only one side non mettle road and
most of the villages are only accessible by foot. The valley faces
acute environmental problems for the last few decades. They include
deforestation, population explosion, soil erosion, devastating
floods, glaciers, variation in seasons and above all the
degradation of its ecology.
The political structure of the valley is very
weak and fragile due to the germs of landlordism and oppressive
behavior of some influential people. Political participation and
dynamic political parties is alien to the valley owing to ethnic
social structure. The right to vote, freedom of speech and
expression are no more there.
Social structure of the society is also presents
a gloomy picture. The living standard of the people is not
satisfactory. In the age of modernism and enlightenments, there no
room for such modern and progressive values. Conservative outlooks
regarding advancement in a right direction also creates hurdles and
has a major impediment in the way of progress and prosperity of the
society.
After having discussed the miserable condition
of this valley of meandering course, gushing waters and wild life
that it supports; now I am diverting my attention to the rich
natural resources of this glamour and enchanting valley. There is a
blend of natural resources such as forests, fresh water springs,
precious metals, limestone, marble etc, which provide ample
opportunities and benefits to the inhabitants of this valley. The
down ward streams also provide opportunities for renewable source
of energy such as hydro power plant. All these natural resources
are still remained untapped. The proper and timely exploration and
exploitation of these resources are the dire need of the day. The
lack of scientific information, technical know-how, lack of
political will and awareness impede in the exploitation of the God
gifted resources of the valley.
So far, the government has not rendered any
valuable services to solve the pressing problems of the region. The
ShiShi River, which provides and has been built a hydro power plant
on it, but the population of the valley, has been denied the right
to use electricity from this power plant. But there is a ray of
hope at the end of dark tunnel for the residents of this neglected
valley. Some non governmental organization (NGOs) has started
working in this valley to mitigate and assuage the miseries of the
people. Among them YSDO has rendered valuable services in the field
of education, health care, infrastructure and creating awareness
among the community. YSDO has been working since the last decades
and registered many village organization. These developments have
rendered and contributed much to the prosperity and development of
the valley. The people had never thought of such development in the
past. Now there is constructed small village roads and bridges to
connect different village to the man road. In education sector non
formal education (NFE) and adult literacy center (ALC) have been
set up.
But these activities are not sufficient to
fulfill needs and demands of the people. A cataclysmic reforms and
measures are needed in this regard. The organization needs donor
agency because of technical and financial constraints. This
contribution will definitely ameliorate the living condition of the
people. A public – private partnership would be fruitful. To grasp,
these problems and challenges, a dedicated, committed and
conscientious effort is needed to solve these problems. A political
will and government commitment can solve this menace once for all.
The proper management of forests wild life and lands couple with
watershed changes, which would led to the structural changes in the
society are the need of the hour. The YSDO has remained now a last
resort and ray of hope for the impoverished population of ShiShi
valley.
Tahir Mahmood
ShiShi valley |
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