Gilgit-Baltistan
GILGIT: In a significant move to protect the fragile environment of northern Pakistan, the government has announced a five-year ban on the construction of new hotels around the region’s picturesque lakes, a decision aimed at preserving the natural beauty that attracts thousands of tourists annually.
The announcement was made by a government agency concerned about the rapid and unregulated development in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), a region famed for its breathtaking landscapes, including over 13,000 glaciers — more than any country outside the polar regions.
Gilgit-Baltistan has become a major tourist hotspot, drawing visitors to its towering mountain peaks, crystal-clear lakes, and the historic Old Silk Road. Tourists traverse highways that wind through cherry orchards and past glaciers and stunning blue lakes, enjoying the unique natural environment.
However, the surge in tourism has brought with it an explosion in hotel and guesthouse construction, much of it driven by companies from outside the region. This rapid development has led to growing concerns about the strain on local water and power resources, as well as the rising problem of waste management.
Khadim Hussain, a senior official at the Gilgit Baltistan Environmental Protection Authority, voiced the environmental risks posed by unchecked construction. “If we let them construct hotels at such a pace, there will be a forest of concrete,” he warned.
“People don’t visit here to see concrete; they come here to enjoy natural beauty.” His remarks underscore the urgent need to balance tourism growth with environmental preservation.
The decision to halt new hotel construction comes in the wake of a viral video posted by a foreign tourist last month, which showed wastewater being discharged from a hotel directly into Lake Attabad, a vital freshwater source for the Hunza Valley. Following the public outcry, authorities fined the hotel more than $5,000 for violating environmental regulations.
Local residents and activists have welcomed the ban. Asif Sakhi, a political activist from Hunza Valley, highlighted the destructive impact of unchecked development on the region’s pristine lakes and rivers. “We have noticed rapid changes in the name of tourism and development,” he said, emphasizing the environmental damage caused by excessive construction.
Shah Nawaz, a local hotel manager, echoed these sentiments, stating that protecting the environment and natural beauty is a shared responsibility.
With this ban, authorities hope to safeguard Gilgit-Baltistan’s unique landscapes and ensure that tourism continues sustainably, preserving the region’s natural charm for generations to come.
