Nature has blessed Pakistan with several gifts. Northern areas of the country are counted among the best in the world. Owing to its stunning beauty, which is unmatched in the entire region, the year 2007 is being celebrated as the year of tourism and the government had planned a well ordered campaign namely "Destination Pakistan" this year.
Khewra salt mines located in the vicinity of district Jehlum, are regarded as second largest salt mines in the world and the total length of this salt mine is more than 300 miles.
Its discovery dates back to nearly 300 BC when according to a legend the great armies of the Alexander, the Great and Raja Poro collided with great might in this region.
After overpowering their enemy, the troops of Alexander noted the licking of the stones by their horses. These horses were identified as the huge reservoirs of salts later on.
The mining continued in this region intermittently till an organised and well ordered infrastructure was laid down in British era in this rough terrain.
The government has developed this site not only as a salt mine but an effort has also been made to attract maximum tourists by establishing a "Whole new world" out of salt.
A stunning peace of beauty which meets the eye immediately after entering the mine is a small mosque which is made of salt, which attracts the attention of the onlookers.
The main tunnel at ground level developed by Dr Warth in 1872 has been converted into Tourist Resort. Thousands of tourists visit Khewra Salt Mines every year. They are fascinated by nature's beauty inside the mountain. Nearly 35,000 to 40,000 visitors, comprising college students, general public, and foreigners visit Salt Mines Khewra every year.
The Salt Mines Khewra has developed as a big attraction for the tourist. Impressed by the interest of the tourists, the PMDC Management launched "Khewra Salt Mines Resort Development Project" in February, 2002 with an estimated cost of Rs 4.2 million which now has been increased by another Rs 3 million.
Khewra Salt Mines Tourist Resort has been developed by PMDC with its own resources. Chief Establishment Manager, Pakistan Mineral Development Corporation (PMDC), Maqbool Mazari said that the salt production had increased from 835,431 tonnes to 993,677 tonnes per annum in the country.
He said, "Four salt mines - three in Khewra, Warcha and Kalabagh in Punjab and salt quarries at Jatta and Bahadurkhel in NWFP are being operated by the Corporation for salt production". Mazari informed that PMDC had earned Rs 236.601 million as pre-tax profit during the last financial year.
Inside the Khewra Mine, a beautiful mosque made of different shades of rock salt bricks has been constructed - hollow walls of salt bricks when lighted gives a beautiful look. A large chamber called "Assembly Hall" measuring more than 250 ft in height fascinates tourists. There are certain chambers filled in with saturated brine solution. These ponds when illuminated with fancy lights give splendid look. There is an area of transparent salt of light pink colour known as "Shish Mahal".
Different chambers are connected with salt bridges over water ponds and when illuminated with lights show marvellous reflection of different colours of salt.
The development programme envisages creation and development of following facilities at Khewra Salt Mines in the first phase of development programme, which have since been completed. A reception/briefing hall has been constructed to serve as reception centre for tourists. The walkway from receipt/briefing hall to the Mine Mouth has been constructed by fixing pavers for the smooth walk of tourists.
For the convenience of tourists, a souvenir shop has been established in the reception/briefing hall area where tourists can find model lamps and other articles made of salt.
The Main Mine area reserved for tourist has been cleaned and cleared from the unwanted materials and debris for the convenience and comfort of the tourists. Nasir a student from Ghulam Ishaq Khan(GIK) Institute,Topi said that he had never seen such a beautiful and fascinating sight throughout his life.
"Those who prefer to go abroad for visiting tourist resorts should see the beauty of their own country first", he remarked. The mines have been illuminated at a grand scale with fancy and reflector type lights to magnify intrinsic beauty of the salient features of the mine, its interior look and texture of rock salt. Electric train has been made available for tourists to have a joyous ride upto main juncture inside the Mines.
Majida, a housewife visiting the site along with her family members told this scribe that, "The government should focus this region and arrange media visits of different media organisations, so that the world can know the beauty of our beloved motherland".
Seating arrangements have been made inside the mine. Refreshments have been provided inside the mine, where kiosks have been fitted, having sufficient capacity for tourists to relax and enjoy light refreshments. Trained female guides are also available at the mine to conduct tour of visitors inside the Mines.
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