By Fazal Khaliq
MINGORA: Tourists from across the country enjoy dazzling views of the first blossom of plum apricot and peach orchards in Swat.
Flowers in plum, apricot and peach trees are the signal of spring season in the scenic valley inviting local and national tourists to enjoy the romantic travel. However, blooming flowers in fruit trees in the month of February indicates climatic changes in the region.
“In the month of February, blooming flowers in the orchard trees means early advent of spring and exit of the winter season, which is not a good sign. It is due to increasing trends of global warming which led to erratic weathers in the Himalayas,” said Suleman Khan, a climate expert in Swat, adding that the amount of snowfall was also not sufficient in the winter.
Unaware of the climate change indicators, local tourists love to visit white, yellow and pink flowers everywhere in the valley.
“Hundreds of orchards of peach, apricot and plums blossomed with beautiful flowers everywhere in Swat gives a heavenly look, inviting aesthetic lovers to enjoy,” said Baber Ali, a tourist from Mardan who was taking photos in an apricot orchard near Guli Bagh area.
Areas in Kabal, Charbagh, Khwazakhela and Matta tehsils are decorated by beautiful and fragrant blossoms.
“We planned to visit different areas where there is abundance of orchards to take photography of the early spring. Many orchards have mustard fields under the trees giving perfect view of yellow flowers on the ground and pink or white flowers in the trees,” said Sheema Akbar, a tourist from Islamabad who visited Swat with her family.
During spring season in Swat, large number of people enjoys the colourful sights of flowers on the ground and on the trees blend with beautiful pleasant weather. “In some area the views where yellow autumnal leaves fallen from the trees with yellow mustard flowers on the ground and orchard trees blossomed with pink and white flowers are magical scenes from paradise,” said Bakhtiyar Ali a young photographer in Swat.
