Acknowledgements
One of the world’s biggest rock art treasures in the world lies between the area of Shatial and Raikot bridge on Karakorum Highway in the northern Pakistan. Extending over an area of 100 km it is just like a vast gallery of ancient rock art having more than 50,000 rock carvings and 5,000 inscriptions ranging from 9th century B.C. to 16th Century A.D. The tremendous diversity of these rock carvings not only provides insight into the history of various people with various socio-cultural and religious backgrounds but it also discloses the strategic importance of the region and its trade linkages.
This globally significant heritage is under threat due to vandalism by locals and travels at present and later most of it will be submerged in the waters of Diamer-Basha Dam. We need to save it because it is a world heritage and also a big tourist asset which can be used to attract large number of tourists to Pakistan. As a result, it may bring economic prosperity among the locals and generate much needed foreign exchange for the country and funds for the protection and conservation of this heritage.
Besides providing information to the visitors of this area through this leaflet, we have tried to made an effort to create awareness among general public about the importance of this unique heritage and to sensitize our decision makers to take timely actions to save this great global heritage which is under threat. STFP wishes to acknowledge support of UNESCO-Pakistan, Italian Agency for Development Cooperation, Gilgit Baltistan Department of Tourism and the District Administration of District Chilas to successfully complete various tasks of this initiative. We also acknowledge the services of Dr. Zulfiqar Khoro, Dr. Ehsan Ullah, Dr. Zahir, Ms. Huma Wasiq, Ms. Sameeha Khaliq, Mr. Fayyaz Ahmed, Mr. Arif Tufail, Mr. Taha Wasiq for the contribution of text and photographs for his publication.
Aftab ur Rehman Rana