ISLAMABAD: The unique patch of daunting mountains in the Salt Range of the Pothohar region, the Soon Valley has become a hub of attraction for researchers and news seekers to unearth different modern scientific and nature-based solutions adopted to preserve rainwater and treat wastewater in the country.
The valley has been famous for mining silica sand, coal and crushes for the past many decades. It becomes a wetland complex based on several lakes of Khabheki, Uchali, and Jhalar that are part of the Ramsar Convention and collectively known as the Uchali Complex.
Interestingly, the temperature of the Valley is 3 to 4°C less than that of the federal capital Islamabad which makes it an ideal place for off-season crop cultivation such as potatoes, cauliflower, and green chillies.
The Institute of Urbanism arranged an exposure visit for journalists to unearth the different modern strategies adopted by the Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF Pakistan) to tackle growing water demand and shortage increasing side by side.
The Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Division (PASSD) also conducted a study to gauge the potential of the area for starting low-cost earning schemes through off-season crop cultivation.
Khabheki Lake in Soon Valley
Khabheki Lake, a saltwater reservoir on average, receives 2,200 millimetres of rainfall a year. It is a bowl-like structure surrounded by high mountains sprawling across the lake.
The lake has received much attraction due to its terrain and stopover location of migratory birds.
The WWF-Pakistan has set up its office at the lake to monitor and guide actions to ensure the protection and preservation of nature reserves and explore more places to improve groundwater storage and availability.
