The Chitral Association for Mountain Area Tourism (CAMAT) is a non-profit tourism association whose aim is to preserve the natural and cultural heritage of the Chitral district in Northern Pakistan and to support sustainable ecotourism activities in the region. It has developed a one-year project that focuses on tourism educational programs. The objectives of the project are: Protect and promote indigenous culture of the communities in the Hindu Kush region.Incorporate tourism into the education system of the region to impact positively on the tourism industry.Enhance the capacity and skills of the local stakeholders such as tour guides, drivers, porters and hoteliers.Identify and promote local destinations for sustainable tourism in the region. There are economic, cultural and environmental impacts as a result of this project. They include: Income generation for select stakeholders who will be linked with potential customers. They include tour operators, guides, artisans, festivals organisers who will all benefit from...

CAMAT wish all ECOCLUB friends and colleagues a happy new year with a strong wish that 2014 may fill you with peace of mind, good health and prosperity.

Sardar Ahmed Khan, the polo legend of Northern Pakistan, though discreetly restrained his polo pony, yet inauspiciously failed to rein in the disloyal horse—‘sorkhon istor’—Syar’s metaphor for ‘death’ versified in one of his poems. He passed away on January 27, 2013 of cardiac arrest aged 59. May Almighty God rest his soul in eternal peace! Amen! His death left his family, relatives, friends and fans greatly sad and created an irreparable void in the field of polo. He will be sorely missed for long time to come.   Born to the distinguished Mohd Baig tribe, SA Khan inherited refined manners, passion for indigenous culture and taste for traditional sports i.e. free style polo and falconry, which he assiduously promoted in his life time. His grandfather, being close to Chitral's ruling family, owned extensive landed property, which reinforced by prolong socio-cultural influence, grossly determined the family’s role as a key decision-maker in the local...

Dear All,   Shandur Polo Festival 2013 is set to be celebrated from July 2-5, 2013. In consideration of the month of fasting, the event has been scheduled about 5 days earlier than usual. The event attracts great number of international, national and local tourits, who undergo long travel to participate in the event. You can be in contact with us should you or your friends plan to participate in the event.   Our contact is +92 3025975059

Chitral won Shandur Festival 2012 by defeating Gilgit-Baltistan by 10 to 5 goals in a thrilling final match at Shandur, Pakistan -- the world's highest polo pitch (See map). A total of eight teams took part this year. Overview of the polo pitch and Shandur Lake. Mountain reflection in Shandur Lake. The world's highest polo pitch. Nearby hill at sunset.

If you want to know about the culture, history and languages of a unique civilization, called ‘The Chitrali Civilization’, visit www.mahraka.com

Shandur Polo Festival 2012 is schedculed for July from July 7 to 9, 2012. If anybody is already scheduled for the event, you can be in contact with us so that we will facilitate your trip. Regards, Shams

Wish you all the ECOCLUB friends a very happy new year 2012!

Wish all friends a happy Merry Christmas!

Chitral -- Tourism Corporation Khyber Pukhtunkhwa (TCKP) sponsored festival of indigenous cuisines and the evening musical show was organized through the arrangement of Chitral Association for Mountain Area Tourism (CAMAT) on March 21, 2011, in Chitral town. The slogan of the day was ‘our culture is our identity; its protection is our need’. The objective of the activity was to protect and promote the traditional food of Chitral and to link the same with tourism industry for the economic empowerment and welfare of women—who are normally involved in cooking at household level—in the entire region. It is to be noted that the young generation has almost had forgotten the names and tastes of their cultural cuisines, which means they could disappear very soon without adding economic incentives and linking it with tourism industry. This was the overarching objective of the event. The food festival implemented in collaboration with Girl Guides—a voluntary organization...