\n Pakistan\u2019s GB bans construction of new hotels around lakes, earning praise from environmentalists, residents\n <\/p>\n
\n\tKHAPLU, Gilgit-Baltistan: Environmental experts, residents and activists have praised the government\u2019s move this week to ban the construction of new hotels around lakes in Pakistan\u2019s northern Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) region for five years, noting it would help protect the area\u2019s natural sites.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n\tPakistan\u2019s mountainous GB region is home to over 13,000 glaciers, more than any other country apart from the polar regions, as well as picturesque lakes, orchards and mountains. As per the GB Tourism Department, over one million tourists visited the area in 2024.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n\tThe rise of tourism in the area has led to the construction of new hotels, which have sparked concerns of increasing pollution, waste, lack of regulation and straining of water and power resources in the area.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n\tA video by foreign vlogger George Buckley in June, showing allegedly untreated sewage being discharged into the region\u2019s picturesque Attabad Lake, went viral on social media. It prompted calls for thorough checks and inspections of hotels in the area.\u00a0
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\n\t\u201cGilgit-Baltistan is becoming a forest of concrete due to the influx of tourism,\u201d Syed Asrar ul Hasnain, an official of GB\u2019s Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), told Arab News over the phone.<\/p>\n
\n\t\u201cThe region was going toward an unregulated type of development. Due to this situation, our department sent a recommendation to the government to ban the issuing of NOCs [no objection certificates] for the new construction of hotels,\u201d he added.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n\tHasnain vowed that authorities would ensure that hotels that were already functional in the region would also be monitored.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n\t\u201cThe main objective behind the ban is the protection of natural beauties and the environment,\u201d he said. \u201cAnd initially, the ban is for five years.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\tKamal Khan, commissioner for the Baltistan region, said the construction of new hotels near lakes and \u201cenvironmentally sensitive regions\u201d in all four districts of the Baltistan region has been banned as well.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n\tHe stressed that sewerage treatment plants (STPs) should be part of hotels constructed near water bodies.<\/p>\n
\n\t\u201c[Unfortunately], the operational hotels don\u2019t have STPs in the region,\u201d Khan said. \u201cAnd after filling the pits, the sewage water is mixed in the water body, and it is hazardous for human life and health.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\tNoting that GB has a \u201cfragile environment,\u201d Khan vowed to protect it through such measures.<\/p>\n
\n\t\u201cWe have directed all existing and functional hotels to make STPs in their hotel, if the hotels have a high number of rooms,\u201d the commissioner said. \u201cIf they do not implement our order, we will seal the hotels.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\t\u2019GOOD OMEN\u2019\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n\tDr. Salaar Ali, head of the Department of Environmental Science at the University of Baltistan, appreciated the government\u2019s move, saying it would help protect the natural environment.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n\t\u201cThe lakes are not only a tourist destination, but many like Sadpara Lakes are a source of drinking water for the residents,\u201d Dr. Ali told Arab News.<\/p>\n
\n\t\u201cAnd the protection of these lakes and areas should be our priority.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\tHe also called on authorities to ban the use of motorboats in the region, saying they were responsible for littering in freshwater bodies.<\/p>\n
\n\tKiran Qasim, a resident of Gilgit and a journalist, described the ban as a \u201cvery effective\u201d measure, saying it would also help mitigate the effects of climate change.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n\t\u201cThe construction around natural lakes also disturbs plants, birds and fish, etcetera,\u201d she explained. \u201cInstead of imposing a ban for only five years, the ban should be for a long period.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\tZahoor Ilahi, a social activist from Hunza Valley, said authorities should promote environmentally friendly constructions such as huts.<\/p>\n
\n\t\u201cOn the other side, multi-story buildings are dangerous for our environment,\u201d he said. \u201cAnd there should be no exception for big investors. Laws should be implemented equally.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\tManzoor Hussain, the president of the Hotel Association of Hunza, described the ban as a \u201cgood omen\u201d but echoed the same concern.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n\t\u201cWe second this move, but there should be no difference between the rich and the poor,\u201d Hussain said, calling on authorities to seal hotels that don\u2019t meet environmental standards.<\/p>\n
\n\t\u201cThe laws should be implemented to protect the environment, in a real manner, not just to get fame on social media,\u201d Hussain said.\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Pakistan\u2019s GB bans construction of new hotels around lakes, earning praise from environmentalists, residents
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