Heritage tourism needs KP Govt patronage to bolster economy.

PESHAWAR -- Known for over 2,000 religeo-archaeological sites, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is home to the primitive Gandhara civilization, diverse cultural heritage, and mesmerizing natural beauty requiring KP Government's patronage to bolster its economy and generate employment opportunities for the people.

Blessed with approximately, 2,000 religeo-heritage sites and 30,000 relics of Gandhara civilization, the UNESCO world heritage site of Takht Bhai, Sahr-I-Bahlol, and Jamal Ghari in Mardan district and the world's lone Ghandhara art museum of Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is known for plenty of archeological treasures from Chitral to D I Khan and Swat to Khyber attracting tourists, historians, architects, monks and art lovers from across the globe including Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Japan, Sri Lanka, and China throughout the year to explore.

Gandhara Trail, Swat Museum, Butkara III Site, Amluk Dara, Jehanabad Buddha, Ghaligy, and Bazira archaeological sites also draw tourists in large numbers throughout the year.

Takht-i-Bahi is witnessing an influx of foreign tourists and delegates who were overwhelmed after seeing its well-preserved and ancient Buddhist monastery there.

United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) declared Takht Bhai a world heritage site.

The provincial government has declared the entire mountain area of 445 hectares as an 'Archaeological Reserve' to control urbanization at Sahr-I-Bahlol and Takht Bhai.

Bulgarian Ambassador Irena Gancheva along with a delegation has recently visited the famous Buddhist monastery Takht Bahi where they were briefed on its archaeological and historical significance and were highly impressed by its preserved monastery.

Alfred Grannas, Ambassador German Embassy Islamabad also recently visited the Takht-i-Bhai world heritage site and was highly overwhelmed by its conservation work.

Following the completion of conservation work, Peshawar Museum, having over 30,000 rare antiquities collections was also a great source of attraction for foreign tourists and delegates.

The two-story building, an amalgamation of British and Mughal architectures, originally consisted of the main hall and two side aisles on the ground and first floor, surmounted by four elegant cupolas and a small pinnacle on all corners, has been rehabilitated.

It is the only Museum in the world where the complete life story of the Founder of Buddhism, Lord Buddha was preserved in the form of panels and...

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