Motto Tunnel
| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Location | Ayubia National Park, Abbottabad District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan |
| Status | Open |
| Operation | |
| Constructed | 1891 |
| Opened | 29 October 2020 (renovated) |
| Owner | Ministry of Climate Change and KP’s wildlife department |
| Operator | Ministry of Climate Change and KP’s wildlife department |
| Traffic | Pedestrians |
| Technical | |
| Length | 250 feet |
Moto Tunnel is a historic passage dating back more than 130 years to the British colonial era, is situated within Ayubia National Park in Abbottabad District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Constructed in 1891, the tunnel stands as a testament to innovative architectural craftsmanship from times long past. A revitalization effort was undertaken in October 2020 to return the tunnel to its original state.[1][2]
History[edit]
While excavating a pit for a plantation within Ayubia National Park in northern Pakistan, workers stumbled upon an unexpected discovery—a century-old British-era tunnel. The historical tunnel constructed in 1891, had been buried under a heap of refuse due to negligence. However, through efforts led by the Ministry of Climate Change (Pakistan|Ministry of Climate Change]], the tunnel has been meticulously restored to its former magnificence.[3][4][5] It was officially inaugurated on 29 October 2020 by Malik Amin Aslam, the Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Climate Change.[6]
In a collaborative effort, the Climate Change, Forestry, Environment & Wildlife Department, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa joined forces to meticulously renovate and return the 'Moto Tunnel' to its former splendor. Recognizing its archaeological importance, the tunnel has been established as a cultural and heritage emblem. This restoration project was carried out under the umbrella of the Global Environment Facility and the United Nations Development Programme's (UNDP) Sustainable Forest Management initiative.[3]
References[edit]
- ^ "The Motto Tunnel in Ayubia National Park restored to its original condition and opened to tourists". paktourismportal.com. Retrieved 2023-08-12.
- ^ "موٹو ٹنل: ایوبیہ میں انگریز دور کی 130 برس قدیم سرنگ کی بحالی - BBC News اردو" [Moto Tunnel: Restoration of 130-year-old British-era tunnel in Ayubiyah]. BBC News اردو. Bbc.com. Retrieved 2023-08-12.
- ^ a b Sana Jamal, Correspondent (2020-10-30). "From trash to treasure: 129-year-old British-era tunnel restored in Pakistan | Pakistan – Gulf News". Gulfnews.com. Retrieved 2023-08-12.
- ^ "Historical British-era tunnel restored and reopened in Ayubia". October 30, 2020.
- ^ Qayum, Atif (October 29, 2020). "British-era tunnel opened for people at Ayubia National Park". Samaa.
- ^ "ایوبیہ میں انگریزوں کے دور کی تاریخی سرنگ سیاحوں کیلئے دوبارہ کھول دی گئی" [The historic British-era tunnel in Ayubiyah has been reopened for tourists]. Urdu.geo.tv. 2020-10-31. Retrieved 2023-08-12.