Faiza Tehseen

Surrounded by the mesmerizing Karoonjhar mountains, the Rooplo Kolhi resort in Sindh province is awaiting promotion globally to increase tourist footfall and provide a sustainable source of income to the local community. Talking to WealthPK, Dileep Kumar, Regional Manager at Sindh Tourism Development Corporation (STDC), said the Rooplo Kolhi resort was located in Nagarparkar tehsil of Tharparkar district. "It is located 438 kilometres from Karachi, and 1,540 kilometres from Islamabad. Nagarparkar is a showcase of mesmerizing arid desert full of dunes and wildlife. It is also called the land of peacocks and pheasants."

"Covering an area of five acres, Rooplo Kolhi resort, owned by STDC, was inaugurated in 2017. It consists of management offices, residential rooms, a backup power system, a parking lot, a play area, a house kitchen, an in-house restaurant, a dining room, and a drawing room. Guests are served with a variety of international and traditional cuisine. The resort offers regular day and night tourist services. To facilitate the visitors, 10 single and nine classic rooms with a kitchenette are available at very economical rents. Facilities to house disabled persons are also available," he explained.

Describing the tourist attractions and the naming background of Rooplo Kolhi resort, Dileep Kumar said that the resort was named after a freedom fighter, Rooplo Kolhi, to pay tribute to his valiant fight against British rule in 1857. "Rooplo and his companions were hanged on August 22, 1858, on the banks of Gardharo stream near Nagarparkar (former Parinagar) and Karoonjhar mountains." Explaining the tourist attractions located in the surroundings, he said in Tharparkar, the remains of six ancient Jane temples existed, all were built between the 12th to 15th centuries. "Three of them are located here and are famous as Bhodesar temples. The other three temples are famous as 'Viravah Jane temples' located 15 miles from Nagarparker. A mosque famously known as Bhodesar Mosque is also a wonder of this area. It is located about two kilometers from Rooplo resort. It is said to have been built within a night by a Gujrati Sultan, Mahmud Begada, in 1,505CE.

The other available tourist hotspots are Karoonjhar mountains; ancient temples of Gori and Chooriyo; Thar coal mine, a bewitching desert; Bhodesar Dam, a children's park, and the Well of Marvi (a fabled Thari village girl who preferred to stay with her people rather than becoming the queen of King Umar Soomro)." Dileep Kumar maintained that the resort was visited by a good number of both walk-in and boarding tourists. "In the monsoon season (July to September), the tourist footfall increases remarkably. In winter the number of visitors decreases a bit, but remains continuous. Foreign visitors are also regulars here. The in-house restaurant of Rooplo Kolhi resort is the only facility in Nagarparkar to serve the guests. STDC is determined to build new rooms, a restaurant and a tuck shop," he said. Dileep Kumar said both the provincial and federal governments should promote the tourist spots of Pakistan at the international level. "The increased number of both domestic and foreign tourists is important to leverage the economy of these areas. The income generation in most of the areas depends upon the tourism-related activities. To improve the sustainable value generation for them, such spots must be made more attractive, comfortable and easily accessible."

Credit: INP-WealthPk