Chitral

Topography

The RL area can be classified as high altitude with steep slopes. The area is part of the Hindukush mountain range. Trichmir (7690m) is the highest peak in the Hindukush and overlooks the town of Chitral.

Hydrology

Chitral is located beyond the influence of Monsoons. The area has a semi-arid climate but higher elevations have permanent snow cover and glaciers. Melt water from this source feeds into an extensive drainage system of perennial streams.

Geography

• High altitude and high relief
• Extremely good rock exposures
• Plentiful water
• High potential area straddles metalled road

Chitral forms Pakistan's north-western border with Afghanistan, and is home to the precipitous mountains of the Hindkush. However, the 7500 sq. km. area where TITC will carry out gold exploration and mining, is away from Afghan border. Located high in the Hindukush Mountains having an altitude up to 7700 metres, Chitral is one of the favourite tourist resorts for those who have passion for alpine trekking and hiking expeditions.

On the north and west of Chitral is Afghanistan while a narrow strip of Wakhan province of Afghanistan separates Chitral from Uzbekistan. Alexander the Great's troops had to battle through the snow covered peaks of this range while finding their passage from Afghanistan to Pakistan. Tartar hordes passed through here. Gengis Khan and Tamerlane also used the Silk Road that passes through the Baroghil Pass in Upper Chitral. The area of Chitral district is 243,818 acres and the population is 222,241.

Four regional routes link the cities and towns in Chitral and the Northern Areas. Both domestic and foreign tourists use these roads to capture beauty and elegance of dominating mountains. These routes are:

	Karakoram Highway (KKH) between Islamabad and the Khunjerab Pass via Gilgit
	Gilgit-Skardu Road
	Gilgit-Chitral Road over Shandur Pass
	Peshawar-Chitral Road via Dir and Lowari Pass.

Chitral City, which is also the district headquarters, is the largest town of the district. It is linked with Peshawar by air and flying time is about 50 minutes. Other major towns in the area are Birmoghalasht and Garam Chashma.

People

Majority of the people are Muslim, however a Kafir Kalash tribe lives in southern Chitral that has its own animistic religious beliefs. The people of Chitral are not alien to mining. Studies about the Indus civilization indicate that the people of Chitral used to mine the rocks of deep blue lapis lazuli and traded it not only through out the Indus valley, but also to far off Mesopotamia and Egypt. The people of Chitral are called Kho and they speak Khowar language that belongs to the Dardic group of Indo-Aryan languages. Traditionally they are peaceful and law abiding citizens.

Climate

Summers are very pleasant while winters are cold. Spring is unpredictable with frequent rains and snowfall, however autumn is usually mild and pleasant.

Shandur Polo Tournament

It is the most exciting cultural and sports event of the area. This tournament is played on top of the Shandur Pass situated between Karakoram and Hindukush ranges, almost 4000 metre above sea level.

The world's highest polo playground is a place quite unique in itself. It is surrounded by some of the most spectacular mountains in the world.

The history of this annual polo tournament at the Shandur Top dates back to 1936 when a British Political Agent, Major Cobb organised the first polo tournament here. Major Cobb was fond of playing polo under full moon and he developed a polo ground near Shandur that was named after him and is still known as 'Major Cobb Moony Polo Ground'.

Polo fans gather at Shandur from all over the world to participate in the spectacular polo events during this tournament.