The Pakistani government has announced a five-year ban on constructing new hotels around the region’s stunning lakes in the northern areas, a move aimed at protecting the environment. The decision comes amid growing concerns over unregulated hotel and guest house development in Gilgit-Baltistan, an area home to over 13,000 glaciers more than any other country outside the polar regions.
Gilgit-Baltistan’s breathtaking landscapes, with towering peaks overlooking the historic Silk Road and a scenic highway weaving between cherry orchards, glaciers, and turquoise lakes, have made it a top tourist destination. However, recent rapid expansion driven by outside companies has strained local water and power resources and increased waste, threatening the region’s natural beauty.
Khadim Hussain, a senior official at the Gilgit-Baltistan Environmental Protection Authority, warned that if unchecked construction continues, “there will be a forest of concrete.” He emphasized, “People don’t visit here to see concrete; they come to enjoy the natural beauty.”
Last month, a viral video surfaced on Instagram showing wastewater allegedly being discharged into Lake Attabad by a hotel. The lake is a vital freshwater source for Hunza. Following the footage, authorities fined the hotel over $5,000.
Local residents and activists welcomed the ban. Asif Sakhi, a political activist from Hunza Valley, said, “We have noticed rapid changes in the name of tourism and development. Hotel construction is destroying our natural lakes and rivers. Shah Nawaz, a hotel manager and local resident, also supported the move, stating, “Protecting the environment and natural beauty is everyone’s responsibility.” The ban aims to preserve the region’s pristine landscapes for future generations while promoting sustainable tourism practices.
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