Italy to support Gilgit-Baltistan in promotion of Eco-Tourism , Ambassador Stefano Pontecorvo

ISLAMABAD: EvK2CNR conducted a workshop on its contribution in Protected Areas Management and the future prospects in the Gilgit-Baltistan with the support from Government of Italy.  H.E Stefano Pontecorvo, Ambassador of Italy to Pakistan, Mr. Babar Hayat Tarar Chief Secretary Gilgit-Baltistan, Mr. Ignacio Artaza, Country Director UNDP, Pakistan, Mr. Agostino Da Polenza, President EvK2CNR, researchers, scientists and other guests participated in the workshop.

H.E Stefano Pontecorvo, Ambassador of Italy to Pakistan on this occasion, mentioned about the Italian support to the Protected Areas of Pakistan with a focus on Central Karakoram National Park of Gilgit-Baltistan. He further said that the Italian government will continue to support in GB including in the eco tourism. He further said Italian government will also support Pakistan in other sectors including its contribution in ETI-IFAD.

The Chief Secretary Gilgit-Baltistan Mr. Babar Hayat Tarar appreciated role and contribution of Italian government and EvK2CNR in Gilgit-Baltistan. He assured to extend all support for the future interventions from the Italian government and EvK2CNR. He said that the government of GB is providing micro credit to the communities through Ukhuwat Foundation for promotion of community based tourism.  He proposed that the Italian supported Eco-community based tourism of EvK2CNR can be synergized with the Ukhuwat micro credit.

Mr. Agostino Da Polenza, President, EvK2CNR presented to the honorable guests the publications of the EvK2CNR inlcuding Glacier Inventor and Tourist Guidebook and shed light on the current and future interventions of EvK2CNR with the support from Italian government.

Experts including Professor Ashiq Ahmad Khan, Dr. Franco Mari, Dr. Elisa Vilarmoz, Mr. Michele Locatelli, Mr. Riaz ul Hassan and Mr. Aurangzeb presented different interventions carried out in GB also highlighting the potential future plans.