Mashabrum Welfare & Development Organization (MWDOB) is a multi-sector, non-profitable and non-government organization. This Organization is located in Khaplu , District Ghanche (Gilgit-Baltistan), Pakistan.
MWDOB is committed in different activities, focused on Health, Education, Environment, Agriculture & Human Resource Development. The foundation of this organization was voluntarily laid by a group of committed local members with determination to serve the humanity. MWDOB has already accomplished several welfare activities prior to its registration. Office of this Organization located is village Kanday, Sub-Division Mashabrum District Ghanche. Majority of population in the umbrella of MWDOB are farmers and labors living in below poverty economically.
Vision
To improve the education and health conditions of remote and backward areas of Baltistan through participatory approaches in multi sectors especially health, education and environment issues.
Mission
To achieve basic human needs and upgrade living standard in the remote villages through organized community participatory efforts by utilizing local and foreign resources for sustainable rural development.
Aims & Objectives
- To promote welfare of small Entrepreneurs in various fields.
- To provide counseling and consultancy services for promoting enterprises in Baltistan.
- To improve primary and elementary education and provide quality education in the area.
- To organize community participation and private partnership.
- To help physically, mentally and visually impaired and welfare for the poverty stricken and destitute persons.
- To educate the people for forest and animal protection and control the environmental deterioration pollution and to promote, ways and means to sustain environmental preservation.
- To provide clean drinking water in different villages in the area.
- To arrange irrigation water for waste and barren lands to improve agricultural resources.
- To provide health and education facilities in the community.
About The Area Baltistan
Baltistan is situated in between Ladakh and Gilgit, amid the Karakorum and Himalaya straddling on both sides of river Indus. In the north it is bordered by Sinjiang Province of China, on east by Ladakh and Kashmir, on south by Nangaparbat(8126m) mountain and in the west by Gilgit. Main river is Indus and Shigar and Shayok rivers are its tributaries. At the moment Baltistan is about 27,000 sqr kms with a population of about 0.5 million. Worlds highest mountains including K-2 (8611m), Broad Peak (8047m), Gashabrum –I (8068m) Gashabrum-II (8035m) and the longest glaciers out of polar stations i.e. Siachan (70 km), Baltoro (62 km), Biafo (63 km), Chogolungma are located here. Majority of the population belong to Tibetan ethnic group with admixture of Brushes, Dards, Chinese & Turkish and Kashmiris which approximately become 40% of the whole population. Main profession is agriculture & animal farming , and some earn their living through govern services and portering for tourists. As the area falls behind Himalaya mountains, therefore, it is termed as a dry temperate area .Moreover major area consist of rugged mountains, with extreme climatic conditions therefore, there are no forests and meadows and agriculture and animal farming is also very difficult. Due to its hermit location, hard geographical conditions and climatic circumstance, economy of the people is very low. Most of the population is total illiterate or little literate. Bad economy, unavoidable circumstances and very little education have caused people physically and psychologically very poor.
Baltistan is a unique place in this planet and God has blessed it with every beauty all-together . The highest mountains and peaks, the longest glaciers out of polar stations, the breath taking valleys, the idyllic villages, the sky – blue water of rivers, Indus, Shayok and Shigar, the deserts and sand-dunes, the lush green meadows, the turquoise blue lakes, the peaceful social political and religious atmosphere, the simple-ness of people, the serenity, fragrance in the air make Baltistan a heaven on earth. The highest peaks of Baltistan challenge the climbers, the vast glaciers allure trekkers, the lush green valleys and plateau fascinate the tourists, the vanishing and un-discovered cultural heritage and history. Due to little introduction and difficult access, Baltistan is still an undiscovered, unexplored and off the tract. Area. Baltistan is connected with Islamabad with a
Daily Boeing flight and an all weather road. It is well connected with each and e very corner of the world by telephone, mobile phones and net service. Via Hunza and Gilgit , it is also easily access-able from Kashghar , China.
Khaplu
Khaplu Town, the head-quarter of Distict Gangchhe, is located at 7700 ft from sea level and at a distance of 104 km from Skardu on the left bank of river Shayok. There is a flow of all type of conveyance between Skardu and Khaplu. This town has a special characteristic of natural beauty and culture. Majority of the population belong to Noorbakhshia- a Sufi Order , having a very peaceful social norms. The famous Chakchan mosque, a master of exquisite wood carvings and lattice, built in 15th Century AD by the great Sayed Amirkabir Sayed Ali Hamadani. The castle of former Yabgo rulers is a must heritage to visit. It is one of the most beautiful wooden building in the whole country built in the most beautiful combination of Tibetan and Iranian architectural design and wood works. Thorsey-khar rock tower behind the Chakchan mosque and the royal castle is a place, worth to be visit. This tower was the original place of the dwelling of the rulers of Khaplu valley in the past. The birds eye view of Khaplu town and the vicinity is awesome and breath taking. A metaled road passes through the town in zig-zag. All administrative, judicial and health departments of the district are also located in the town. Karakoram Lodge and PTDC Motel provide good rooms , meals and atmosphere. There are a few restaurants in main marker & roadside, where Pakistani and Chinese meals are served on cheaper prices. Khaplu is also connected with the world through telephone, mobile and net service.
Khaplu town is the rear base camp for onward travel to Mashabrum Peak, Ghondoghoro Pass and K-6/K-7 peaks. Hushe village-the base camp of Karakoram glaciers and peaks on Khaplu side, is only 48 kms from Khaplu and jeep drive takes only two hours and a day’s walk. From Khaplu town one can drive or travel through Thaley Pass and get down to Shigar Town as well. It takes two days for a walk. Only a few kms walk to Surmo village from Khaplu town, a visitor can see the magnificent peak of Mashabrum from the roadside and take photographs. About 35km above Skardu, the Indus – locally called the Sind – is joined by the Shyok River (pronounced as one syllable, roughly ‘shyok’). The Shyok is the axis of Khaplu, the biggest and richest of Baltistan’s ancient kingdoms, and the scenery is superb.
The Shyok and Indus basins above their junction (embracing ancient Khaplu, sometimes spelled Khapalu) comprise Ghanche district, with Khaplu village as headquarters. Allow at least a full day around Khaplu village, even if you’re not a walker, and be prepared for cooler weather than Skardu.
Kanday Village
Kanday village (sub-division Mashabrum consists of 1200 souls in 120 household) situted on the footstep of great mountain range makes it a great appearance, located at (2900m) it refers to an area of 500 Sq km located about 139km east of Skardu and 35 km north east of Khaplu Ghanche. The village lies in cold desert mountain ecosystem. In winter the area receives heavy snowfall from November to March. However the summer has been very pleasant. the village has vast area of natural pasture. The pastures located on comparatively loser elevation are grazed. the area has many natural species like Asiatic Ibex wolf Chukker snow cock snow leopard and many more are easily can seen from the village.
Main source of livelihood of the people of Kanday is tourism. They are serving tourist as porters, cook and guide during summer. The village is famous for tourist attraction. Nature lover mountaineer visits the area. Every mountain peaks like Amin Brakk (5850m), Mashabrum (7821m), K-6 (7281) K-7 and beautiful Nangma valley attract mountaineers large number of trekkers come to the area to trek through famous trekking routes such as K2 base camp and Concordia. The area is a spectacular, legendary and magic place for any restless spirit. The people of this area are so hospitable people in the world. Warmth engaging charm traditional hospitality, which is nation, is renewed. The people are mostly affiliated with agro-framing and hosting tourist community. They become homeless, jobless and landless due to village was completely damaged and the people migrated to another location. Now are striving for resettlement at new location.
The village Kanday is so far deprived from all basic amenities of lives; the people are not access to clean drinking water, health and education facilities and job opportunities. The main source of income of local people depends on flow of tourist. But due to the present situation prevailing in northern part of NWFP are also affecting these areas also.