Batakundi also spelt Battakundi (Northern Hindko: بٹہ کنڈی, Urdu: بٹہ کنڈی) is a tourist town located 15 km east of Naran[1][2] in Mansehra District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. It is located within the Kaghan Valley.[3]
Batakundi
بٹہ کنڈی | |
|---|---|
Village | |
 View of Batakundi | |
  Batakundi | |
| Coordinates: 34°55′54″N 73°46′27″E / 34.9316°N 73.7743°E | |
| Country |  Pakistan |
| Province | Khyber Pakhtunkhwa |
| District | Mansehra |
| Elevation | 2,624 m (8,609 ft) |
| Time zone | UTC+05:00 (PKT) |
Location
editBatakundi is located in Mansehra District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. While traveling towards Babusar, the first town after Naran is Batakundi.[4] It is situated along the Karakoram Highway (KKH) and is a stop for jeeps. It is the first destination on the Mansehra-Naran-Jalkhad-Chilas Road to Babusar Top, and the path further leading to Lalazar and Gilgit-Baltistan.[5]
Tourism and activities
edit
People often stay at hotels in Batakundi when they are planning their trip across Babusar Top. Batakundi is the last town in Kaghan Valley that stays open all year. Many people visit the town to see the Batakundi Waterfall. There are many hotels and restaurants in the town.[2]
Batakundi Hydropower Project
editIn 2014, a hydropower project Batakundi Hydropower Project (HPP) planned on Kunhar River basin was initiated in the region by Pakhtunkhwa Energy Development Organization (PEDO) and later the feasibilities for the project were completed. The project was started by the recognition of the Sarhad Hydel Development Organization (SHYDO) (now called PEDO) with the help of the German Agency for Technical Cooperation (GTZ) under the analysis of Identification of Hydropower Potential in Kaghan Valley.[6][7][8][9]
People
editMost people of Batakundi are Gujjars who are now Hindko speakers.[10]
References
edit- ^ "Locals, tourists trapped in heavy Naran snowfall". The Express Tribune. 2018-10-16. Retrieved 2022-11-14.
- ^ a b Ali, Zulfiqar (25 December 2023). "Batakundi: a tale of rapid urbanisation". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
- ^ Javaid, Aiyza (2019-07-19). "Exploring the beautiful Kaghan Valley". Daily Times. Retrieved 2022-11-14.
- ^ Tahir, Neha (4 March 2024). "Naran Kaghan Tour Packages". Nature Hike Pakistan.
- ^ "Tourism boom likely in Kaghan valley as Mansehra-Naran-Jalkhad Road reopens". Dawn. 2022-04-18. Retrieved 2022-11-14.
- ^ "96 MW Batakundi Hydropower Project Feasibility Study Report" (PDF). pedokp.gov.pk. Pakhtunkhwa Energy Development Organization. October 2014. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
- ^ "Pakistan: Power Transmission Strengthening Project" (PDF). adb.org. Asian Development Bank. May 2023. Retrieved 29 October 2024.
- ^ "Hydel Power Generation". kpboit.gov.pk. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa - Board of Investment & Trade. Retrieved 29 October 2024.
- ^ "Power Projects: List of PEDO Feasibility Study Projects in Public Sector". ep.kp.gov.pk. Electric and Power Department - Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Retrieved 29 October 2024.
- ^ Ali, Ihsan (2006). "Batakundi". Mapping and documentation of the cultural assets of Kaghan Valley, Mansehra: final report. UNESCO Office in Islamabad. Retrieved 2022-11-15.