Shangla has a total area of 1,586 sq.kms with a population size of 757,810 which comprises of 49% (approx.) male and 51% female population. The area has seen a population growth of approximately 74% in the last 19 years.
Nestled between district Swat and Battagram lies one of the most visibly attractive regions of Pakistan ––District Shangla. However, this district happens to occupy a place among the least developed areas of Pakistan, with a Human Development Index of 0.332. With Pakistan aiming to gallop at a rapid pace in the next two decades to enter the league of developed nations, it is high time that Shangla district, along with others, utilize its maximum potential to stimulate regional growth.
For this to happen, the Provincial Government of KP first has to assist the local administration in uplifting the traditional sectors of agriculture and forestry ––from subsistence to commercial farming as it produces export quality Mushrooms and a large area is covered in forests. It will have to gradually build up the local capacity to generate revenue through eco-tourism(in Shangla Top, Pirsar,Sheikh Badin & Sharan). The district also do have minor hydropower generation potential (around 28.35MW), which is already being catered to by PEDO.There are reports of Marble/Serpentine reserves that do exist in Shangla district,presenting opportunities for establishing further quarries and processing units. Eventually, the entire local population would be able to use the benefits of these projects to uplift their living standards.
