Information
The Kalash people, or Kalasha as they are generally called, live in three remote valleys in the North-Western province of Pakistan, close to the Afghan border.
The Hindu Kush Conservation Association (HKCA) is a British Charity (charity number 1063232) to help the needs of the Kalash and their environment.
Long Term Objectives
- To protect the environment and conserve the forests
- To protect cultural heritage
- To preserve and conserve the indigenous group ‘The Kalasha’ their culture and to preserve the environment.
- To provide the medical facilities and improve the quality of life of the people through health awareness raising campaign.
- To engage in capacity building of the local people to generate income within the valleys.
- To seek the registration of the area to become an organic zone and biosphere.
Main Achievements
Since their inception both have been involved in various activities in the Kalash Valleys from small beginnings with a Medical Project which has now been expanded to health and sanitation projects, tourism and preservation of the old buildings in the valleys to the formation of young Women’s society in Birir regarding health education and awareness. They were instrumental in bringing the first TB Training Scheme to Chitral, including the opening of a TB Testing Clinic at Shidi.
Chitral
Chitral, which has an elevation of 4,980 feet, lies in the heart of Marco Polo land, nesting between the rugged mountains of the Hindu Kush – ‘Slayers of the Hindus’. According to historian, many slave children, brought from Kashmir and beyond, died on their winter slopes.
The Kalash Valleys
The Kalash valleys of Bumburet, Rumbur and Birir lie approximately twenty-two miles south of Chitral. Population is in the region of 10,000 inhabitants, of whom less than a third are Kalasha. These valleys are the last enclaves to withstand conversion to Islam in the Afghanistan-Pakistan area.
Bumburet
Bumburet is the largest of the three. With its sparkling streams, shady meadows, groves of mulberry, apricot and walnut trees, wide mountain vistas and yellow and green fields, it is thought by any to be the most beautiful. Most of the hotels are run by outside Moslems, so that there is little economic benefit for the Kalasha. At the top end of the 9-mile valley, near the government rest house, there is a Nuristani village. Here begins the route, through a side valley, which leads on to the Shawal Pass, the highest into Nuristan and once a trail belonging to the ancient Silk Road. Here the great cedar trees still cling to the mountain sides.
Rumbur
Rumbur, which lies to the north of Bumburet, has fewer Moslem homesteads and sees fewer tourists. It is considerably narrower than Bumburet, and without that valley’s numerous shady meadows, Rumbur is rugged and majestic; the mountain ridges higher, the river much wilder. As there are few tourists, the Kalasha are less shy and less nervous than those in Bumburet. No one if asked, objects to having their photograph taken or asks for money for posing. Only seldom does the sound of jeeps destroy the peaceful silence of the valley. Again, at the very top end of the valley, there is a Nuristani village.
Birir
At first glance, Birir seems terribly narrow and uninteresting in comparison to the other valleys, although it is actually wider than Rumbur. There are fewer shady meadows here than in Bumburet, and the valleys is not so open. Moreover, at this level (it has the lowest altitude of all three valleys, is the hottest and grows the best grapes), it does not have the majestic awe-inspiring ruggedness of Rumbur. But the narrow rocky valley, with the shallow river running down its centre, is full of ‘secret’ nooks, where the emerald turf is splashed with sparkling rivulets of water. Higher up the mountain slopes, through the branches of the trees, the rugged mountain tops of the Hindu Kush appear stretched out on the horizon, while others loom in close, dark and mysterious or bathed in glorious sunlight.