Tourism and Environmental Preservation in Gilgit-Baltistan

By: Kamran Shigri
Gilgit-Baltistan is situated in the extreme north of Pakistan bordering China, India and Afghanistan. The region has an area of 72,971 Sq. Kms. and a population of about 2.5 millions. Gilgit Baltistan is considered to be the most spectacular region of the country due to its diverse natural beauty. The region attracts tourists not only from all parts of Pakistan but also the whole world. Attractive landscapes, evergreen forests, cold deserts, snowcapped mountains and great cultural heritage are the attractions because of which thousands of people from various parts of the world visit this area. The region has always been a paradise for mountaineers, trekkers and landscape loving people.
Because of whopping exposure on social, print and electronic media by the locals and some renowned celebrities, an improved infrastructure in terms of roads, hotels and tourism spots, and a temptation for pleasant weather in summers, the number of tourists visiting Gilgit-Baltistan has increased exponentially during the past few years and it is still on a rise. As a result an ostentatious improvement has been seen in the tourism and hospitality industry of Gilgit-Baltistan. According to a report published in Express tribune, more than 600,000 tourists visited Gilgit-Baltistan in 2015 alone, a great number indeed. These include tourists of all types like climbers, trekkers, hikers, photographers, site visitors, geo-tourists, cultural tourists, trophy hunters etc. The numbers are expected to increase definitely in 2016. The increased number of visitors will have a great socio-economic impact on the region and lifestyle of the people living in far flung areas is going to be changed.
But there are a few things which need a great part of our attention if we want both the beauty and tourism in our region to sustain for long. And the
Just to quote an example, there is a lake situated in Shigar valley named “Jarba-xo” (Blind Lake). Although it is situated near to Skardu-Shigar road, yet it was not visited often by people previously except the fishermen and the herdsmen or a few who really enjoyed the serenity of the place. But during the past few years the number of visitors to the place increased manifold. And now whenever someone visits the place he can see plastic bags and other rubbish floating in the lake and hundreds of people around it making every possible effort to litter the area. A few days later a local newspaper reported a shocking news that the aquatic life in the lake is endangered. This is only one out of hundreds of examples. The environment of our region is degrading drastically and sudden preventive measures need to be taken by everyone of us.
It is suggested that apart from promoting tourism we must also educate the tourists about the importance of preservation of nature. The most
Environmental preservation and prevention from all types of pollution is our collective responsibility and every one of us should act in his/her capacity to save our region from being a victim of pollution and environmental decay. While boasting of the beauty of our homeland we should also caution other people about the hazards of pollution and importance of cleanliness.