The Explorer: Journal of Social Sciences

ISSN: 2411-0132, Vol-1, Issue (3):62-65

www.theexplorerpak.org

KALLAR KAHARS TOURISM: A SIGNIFICANT UPLIFT IN LOCAL ECONOMY

Nomana Sadaf
Department of Anthropology, PMAS-Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi
Corresponding Author:
Nomana Sadaf
PMAS-Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi
sadafnomana@gmail.com
Abstract: Tourism is generally demarcated as a journey that is made by both local people and foreign tourists for
recreational, business and other purposes. The economy is the status of a region in terms of its consumption of
production and supply of money. The objectives of present study were to explore the economic impacts of local
tourism in Kallar Kahar, to present a regional perspective of tourism development and to examine governments role in
projecting economic benefits of local tourism in the region. The study was exploratory in nature and data was collected
qualitatively from a sample of 75 respondents, from whom demographic information was taken through socioeconomic census survey forms and qualitative information was obtained through an interview guide, over a period of
six months. The study concluded that local tourism of Kallar Kahar had negative economic impacts on both area and
indigenous community as well.

Key Words: Local Tourism, Regional Economy, Kallar Kahar

INTRODUCTION
Tourism directly affects life styles of local
inhabitants and these impacts can be judged by
increase in per capita income (Alvaro, et al. 2011).
Tourism as a holiday making activity (Goeldner
and Brent 2009) has become a process by which
every element of life is affected therefore different
governments are emphasizing the need to manage
tourism as a growing industry (Page 2011).
Geotourism supports geographical characteristics,
economic and social benefits of tourist sites and the
indigenous communities of that area (Boley 2009).
The economic effects can change the living
conditions of the communities as well (Reisinger
and Dimanche 2009).Tourisms economic impacts
are therefore an important consideration in
community planning and economic development. It
also affects marketing and management sectors
positively therefore; it is no doubt functioning as a
tool for sustaining a countrys economy (Donnellan
2009).
The generation of new market is not the only goal,
thus development of historical and natural
resources of the area is also very important.
(Tezcan 2004). Tourism development must be
considered in a long-term perspective and the
purpose of it should not be to harm regional
landscape and local community of that area
(Brouder 2013).
According to WTO, rural tourism can be used as a
tool for rural development, because it can provide

additional income sources like transport, education

and medical facilities to local population (Saule
2004). Sustainable tourism development is seen as
a continuous process that needs management and
monitoring of tourisms impacts (Saarinen, et al.
2009).Tourists satisfaction depends upon the form
of marketing, facilities in that area, which motivate
visitors to visit these sites repeatedly (Nnanjar
2012).
When the local community is not participating in
regional development programs, then these plans
fail to achieve the desired goals. Therefore the
indigenous communities should be made to be
more participative (Drakopoulou n.d). The concept
of pro-poor tourism contributes very effectively
in economic expansion, job opportunities and
decrease of poverty (Samimi, et al. 2011).
At national level, all these plans for sustainable
tourism development should be ensured by
applying various techniques including land use
plans, environmental impact assessment, legislative
regulatory, and enforcement measures and
monitoring of local participation (Karim, et al.
2012). Therefore the socio-cultural goals should not
be neglected by tourism policy makers (Breakey
2005).
The negative factors of Pakistans tourism industry
are mismanagement in providing tourism facilities
and security issues. (Fakhar 2008). In the north of
Punjab there is Salt Range, Katas Temple, Kallar
Kahar and Khewra Salt mines and these are the

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major areas of tourism attractions (Anjum 2007).

Kallar Kahar is famous for Kallar Kahar Lake, Takhte-Babri, beautiful species of peacocks and natural
gardens. It has several picnic points, gift shops,
restaurants and guest houses facilitating tourists at
the bank of the lake (Kaleem 2011).
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The present study was designed to focus on
presenting a regional perspective of tourism
development and governments role in enhancing
the economic benefits of local tourism in the
region. The research was conducted mainly at Kallar
Kahars tourist attraction sites. The sample of 75
local respondents who were directly or indirectly
associated to tourism industry were selected
through purposive sampling method. Information
was taken through socio-economic survey forms
and interviews. The findings were then interpreted
through SPSS 16.
RESULTS
Table.1: The Major Professions of the Local Residents
Professions
Frequency
Percentage
Shop Keepers

51

68%

Drivers

09

12%

Hotel Employers

11

14.6%

Boaters

02

2.7%

Riders

02

2.7%

Total

75

100%

Table 1, illustrates the distribution of professions of

the local people, who were working around the
Kallar Kahar Lake, restaurants and picnic points.
Majority of local employers were associated to
shop keeping. 68 percent shop keepers were
running government shops having highest
frequency of 51. The hotel employers were 14.6
percent, some were working at TDCPs hotels while
a few people were working at private restaurants.
Table.2: Income Groups
Income Groups
Frequency
3000-8000
65
9000-1400
06
15000-2000
04
21000-2600
2600 and above
Total
75

Percentage
86.7%
08%
5.3%
100%

Table 2 illustrates the income groups of the local

residents who were working at TDCPs shops and
hotels. At the locale, majority of employers were
having monthly income, ranged between 3000 to
8000 rupees. They were 86.7 percent. The shop
keepers were not satisfied to their monthly
incomes. Only 8 percent people were satisfied,
since their income was better than shop keepers.

They were earning 9000 to 14000 per month. Only

4 people were prosperous as their income ranged
between 15000 to 2000 rupees per month.
Table.3: Kallar Kahars Tourism Effect on Literacy Rate
of The Local Community
Education
Frequency
Percentage
Illiterate
49
65.3%
Primary
08
10.7%
Middle
05
6.67%
Metric
07
9.3%
F.A
05
6.67%
B.A
01
1.3%
Total
75
100%

Table 3 shows the literacy level of the respondents

at Kallar Kahar. Most of the respondents were
illiterate i.e. 65.3, while 10.7 percent local people
were primary pass. The primary pass employers
responded that they were poor and tourism did not
provide them with a fixed job or income, so
enrolling into educational institutions was not
possible. 6.67 percent people were middle pass.
The local people who were metric and F.A were 9.3
and 6.67 percent respectively. Only one person was
found to be a graduate.
DISCUSSION
The local shop keepers informed that markets
selling loquats, apricots, plums and rose water
invited more tourists to visit Kallar Kahar. The
findings clearly resonate with the study that
tourists satisfaction depends upon the form of
marketing of that area (Nnanjar 2012). The
production of loquat and apricots rise in summer
season and local people earn more by selling their
products at very high prices not only on local level
but at national level also. Thus, tourism functions as
a tool for sustaining a countrys economy
(Donnellan 2009).
According to the communitys view the area had no
management in the sphere of tourism, no
developmental steps were being taken and no
progress was observed in the past many years. Thus
the findings were clearly in a contradiction to the
research that different governments are managing
tourism as a growing industry (Page 2011). The
local population had pessimistic perception. They
informed that local tourism even though had
increased,
providing
them
with
income
opportunities however, their livelihood conditions
were so wretched and miserable that even though
there was elevation in the income however, the
change could not yet be directed towards literacy
and education. Findings thus contradicted to the
study that geo-tourism supports overall well being
of indigenous communities (Boley 2009).

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According to hotel employers the income earned by

the tourism activities were circulating overall
improving the local economy of Kallar Kahar. That
declaration clearly resounded to the study that
economic effects can change the living conditions
of the community as well (Reisinger and Dimanche
2009). The business community of Kallar Kahar was
observed to have a visible change in their economy.
They had become stable enough to be able to
educate their children. Thus, improved life styles of
the community can be judged by increase in income
(Alvaro, et al. 2011). The local tourism influenced
marketing and management sectors positively but
place for improvement persists. The findings
contradict to the study that sustainable tourism
development needs management of tourisms
impacts (Saarinen, et al. 2009).
The points open for recreational activities were
located a bit far from the lake of Kallar Kahar.
Therefore it was established that the local
community of Kallar Kahar and environmental niche
were both safe. Still, the capacity for tourism
planning and proper management is visibly present.
The purpose of tourism development should not to
harm regional landscape and local inhabitants of
that area (Brouder 2013). The community openly
declared that local government did not construct
new hotels. That finding vividly corresponded to
the research that the negative factor of Pakistans
tourisms industry is improper infrastructure
development programs (Fakhar 2008).
According to the local people there were no private
hospitals near the picnic points. Thus no alternative
business had irrupted due to the tourism increase.
The community was of the view that they were
prepared to collaborate with local government in
any tourism development plan on the projection
that the projects do not harm them in any way.
That finding clearly corresponded to the research
that when local communities are not participating
in regional development projects, then these
programs fail to achieve the desired goals
(Drakopoulou n.d).The overall condition of picnic
points and lake was bad. The local inhabitants
viewed that this all happened due to the
carelessness of local government.
CONCLUSION
The study concludes that local tourism of Kallar
Kahar has not effective in elevating the regional
economy to the extent that was expected. The
major finding was that since the income of the
locals is too low, and there was not sufficient
support from the local government or development

projects establishing their own business to take full

advantage of natural resources and geographical
features was not possible.
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