District Mansehra of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is renowned for its tourism spots and lakes. Kaghan valley only attracts the tourists from the across the country but also from abroad who visit the scenic valley during summer to enjoy the attractive natural beauty.
Other than the public servants, employment of the residents of the valley is directly or indirectly linked with tourism. Through to harsh weather conditions and closure of road due to snowfall, the roads leading to the tourism spots of the Kaghan valley are closed during winter and even not closed, condition is not favourable to visit these areas.
Due to this situation, majority of the people linked with tourism earn during winter and spend the earned month during winter when they have not proper job or any other source of livelihood.
After starting of the tourism seasons, these people along with their families to the said areas and upon closure of the area return back to lower areas including Balakot, Mansehra and other surrounding locality. Majority of these people don’t have their own houses in the lower areas and acquire rental houses.
As recent rainfall and snowfall in mountainous areas lowered the temperature and closure of roads is feared, the people from Naran, Batakundi and other areas have moved to lower areas. In the prevailing situation, Balakot and Mansehra are overcrowded and people who rent out their houses are taking full advantage and demanding high rents for their houses which has increased the difficulties of the tenants.
The tenants have urged the authorities to take notice of the situation and announce a rent schedule besides ensuring its implementation.
