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Review of Issues Related to Tourism Policies regarding Environmental

Management and Customary Practices of Tourism in Gilgit-Baltistan,
Pakistan

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Journal of Environmental Science and Engineering B 1 (2012) 1087-1093
Formerly part of Journal of Environmental Science and Engineering, ISSN 1934-8932
D DAVID PUBLISHING

Review of Issues Related to Tourism Policies regarding

Environmental Management and Customary Practices of
Tourism in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan

Rehmat Karim, Salma A. Durrani and Azhar Hussain

Integrated Mountain Area Research Centre (IMARC), Karakoram International University, Gilgit-Baltistan 15100, Pakistan

Received: August 30, 2012 / Accepted: September 15, 2012 / Published: September 20, 2012.

Abstract: The purpose of this study is to highlight the issues and problems of tourism planning, policy formulation and
implementation in Gilgit-Baltistan-mountainous region of Pakistan—a place which is abound with worth seeing natural scenes and
also hub of world’s highest mountain ranges. Tourism in many countries plays an important role in improving not only economic
conditions but it also has been used as a tool to preserve environment. Tourism policy is part of national development policy in many
countries, but in Pakistan this sector has been ignored in terms of proper policy formulation and also it was not considered as a
potential sector for economic betterment. Although Pakistan, particularly Gilgit-Baltistan is replete with tourism resources, haplessly
policy makers never focused on this sector in capitalizing these tourism resources. It also covers the traditional practices of 4 As
(Access, Attractions, Accommodation and Acceptance) in Gilgit-Baltistan. In Pakistan, there have been different laws and
regulations formulated with the passage of time but they have not been implemented properly. In Pakistan, tourism policy was first
prepared in 1983 but it was not enforced appropriately. According to ranking of WEF T&T (World Economic Forum Travel and
Tourism) competitiveness index, Pakistan is ranked below average in policy formulation and implementation.

Key words: Statuary policies, customary practices, 4 As, environment, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan.

1. Introduction same as it is thought to be inconceivable in tourism

sector as well. In tourism sector, policies have to be
In the milieu of national development in Pakistan,
formulated according to the real information about
tourism sector in general and mountain tourism in
number of tourist arrivals, type of tourists, purpose of
Gilgit-Baltistan has particularly not received much
visit and their preferences etc.. TDGB (Tourism
attention as compared to other sector or industries.
Department of Gilgit-Baltistan) compiles the statistics
Tourism industry has been considered as the only tool
of tourist arrivals in Gilgit-Baltistan but unfortunately
to satiate the demand of foreign exchange and its
this data does not reflect the ground realities [15].
imbalances. Although Pakistan, particularly
TDGB could compile only statistics in number of
Gilgit-Baltistan, is enriched in tourism attractions,
tourists arrival from 2007 to 2010 but visiting
especially in mountain tourism resources,
different tourism destination, used accommodation,
unfortunately this tourism has not got a very long
transportation, tourism receipts etc. are not available.
history. The first marketing campaign was launched in
So without the above mentioned information, planning
1981 by Pakistan’s first International Trekking
and policy formulation has no meaning at all.
Convention.
Millions of rupees have been invested to construct
Without valid or real data, policy formulation and
hotels and souvenir shops in many areas of
management in any industry or sector is formidable
Gilgit-Baltistan, especially in Karim Abad Hunza.
Corresponding author: Rehmat Karim, Ph.D., lecturer, Hoteliers have borrowed money from banks and
main research field: sustainable mountain eco-tourism. E-mail:
rehmat@kiu.edu.pk. cooperative societies to construct hotels and shops but
1088 Review of Issues Related to Tourism Policies regarding Environmental Management and Customary
Practices of Tourism in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan
due to tourism slump, these local people are suffering
from heavy losses for the last many years.
Government has never backed up these people who
have lost their money and are paying interests to
banks without getting return from their businesses and
there is no any system of subsidy, insurance or any
relief for losses in this respective sector.
2. Study Area
Northern Pakistan, particularly Gilgit-Baltistan, is
covered with high, snow capped mountains of
Himalaya, Hindukash and Karakoram ranges (Fig. 1).
The place is rough and rocky with terrific terrains and
hefty dissected slopes. The topography is overly
uneven due to corrosion and land slips. The soil is a
mixture of stones and pebbles. In some areas, there are
boulders in the midst of cultivated land, lessening its
fertility.
The tallest peaks in the world are located in
Gilgit-Blatistan. They attract a number of soft and
hard adventure tourists, mountain climbers, trekkers
and eco-tourists. There is no comparison in its natural
beauty. The junction of three highest mountain ranges,
Himalaya, Karakoram and Hindukash, adds to its
beauty. Between these peaks, there are beautiful
valleys, mesmerizing glaciers, effervescent springs,
alluring lakes, long rivers and beguiling waterfalls.
Gllglt-Baltlstan
Kashmir
Fig. 1 Map of Gilgit-Baltistan/Northern areas of Pakistan.
The place is so glamorous that it appeals all nature
lovers. It is indeed a real place to discover perfect
peace of mind [1].
3. Literature Review
Unplanned tourism activities consequently lead to
tourism slump. Tourism development took place in
most areas of the world as an unplanned activity [2].
Moreover, many countries in the Third World did not
know the importance of the tourism industry and the
impacts that it can have [3] and many governments
have supposed the industry to be the business of the
private sectors [2]. Lack of appropriate land use policy
and regulations governing the location and
distribution of tourism facilities and infrastructure
caused decline in tourism [4-7]. Consequently, most
private investors, in the tourism and hospitality
industry, tend to put their capital investments in
regions perceived to have high potential for quick
profit returns and suddenly lose their investment if
tourism fell down [7]. Challenge in terms of the
management and regulation of the industry is the need
to deal with a wide range of organizations from
large-scale, international companies to the large
number of small-scale, privately owned
establishments [8]. For improving the multiplier and
Ladakh
 Review of Issues Related to Tourism Policies regarding Environmental Management and Customary
Practices of Tourism in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan
net benefit of tourism, industry policy and planning
must be recognized as vital importance [9]. It is based
on realization that tourism planning is getting renewed
importance among academics and government.
Successful and profitable destinations will be those
which could build and expand the planning and
policies with clear links to local level organizations
[10]. Tourism management for the destination is
therefore likely to be best implemented through the
application of signage, development of guidelines and
codes of conduct [11]. Currently, the common idea
articulated in scientific literature and put forward by
international agencies is that tourism development and
management should be guided by philosophy of
sustainability [12]. Through its strategic
process—analysis, formulation, implementation and
evaluation, tourism planning is, at both the local and
the regional level, a suitable tool to carry out public
policies, guiding tourism destinations according to a
vision of the community in the long run [12].
4. Foreign Tourism
According to Ref. [13], foreign tourists visited
Balochistan (1.5%), Sindh (33.5%), Punjab (56.3%),
KPK (5.6%), Gilgit-Baltistan (0.6%) and Azad Jammu
and Kashmir (2.5%) [1].
According to data available in the office of Tourism
Department of Gilgit-Baltistan, the foreign tourists
arrivals in Gilgit-Baltistan from 2007 to 2010 are
shown in Table 1.
5. Domestic Tourism
According to Domestic Tourism Survey, it is
Table 1 Foreign tourists arrival in Gilgit-Baltistan from 2007 to 2010.
Year 2007 2008
Total 10,338 4,756
Source: Ref. [14].
Table 2 Domestic tourists arrival in Gilgit-Baltistan from 2007 to 2010.
Year 2007 2008
Total 22,780 50,316
Source: Ref. [14].
1089
estimated that approximately 43 million domestic
visitors traveled within the country in 2006. Nearly
90% domestic tourists traveled by road, 8.5% by rail
and only 1.8% traveled by air [13].
According to TDGB, domestic tourists visit
Gilgit-Baltistan for different purposes, e.g. business,
VFRs (visiting friends and relatives), adventure,
mountaineering, hiking etc. Data in Table 2 shows the
domestic tourists arrival from 2007 to 2010.
6. Review of Contemporary Statuary
Policies
Pakistan’s first tourism plan was prepared in 1967
with the help of United Nations [1]. In this plan,
though environment was given contemplation in broad
terms, it was not given any specifically consideration
to environmental protection and it conservation. There
was no any authority which could work in a structural
way to play a role in managerial and physical planning
for tourism and environment.
Presently, all public sector organizations and its
development projects/programs are approved by
Planning Commission and its respective ministry. All
tourism related projects/programs are routed
through its details of PC-I form, which is
generally an accepted document for
projects/programs’ approval. Ministry of Tourism
with the composite of Planning Commission approves
the tourism projects/programs.
Rapid increase in human population especially in
Pakistan has raised the demand for natural resources
in the last two to three decades. In many cases, the
development activities and its plans have damaged
2009 2010
7,728 5,511
2009 2010
55,725 38,386
1090 Review of Issues Related to Tourism Policies regarding Environmental Management and Customary
Practices of Tourism in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan
both natural and physical environment. There are
innumerable tourism destinations in Gilgit-Baltsitan
where shops, hotels, houses and roads have been
constructed without proper planning and land use
management. This unplanned constructions and
deterioration of natural and physical environment
would soon curtail tourism in this area.
The bulk of garbage, litter, containers, plastic bags
and mountaineering gears are often found at trekking
routes and camping sites. There is no appropriate filth
removal system in the area [15]. This is hazardous for
not only environment but it can also cause tourism
dwindle on these popular trekking routes. Most of the
local guides, porters, tour operators and hoteliers are
not aware of the environment friendly trekking and
mountaineering techniques including proper waste
management, recycling, use of alternative fuels etc..
There are no guidelines and very few awareness
programmes to address this issue [16].
For the last many years, the WEF (World Economic
Forum) has been evaluating the Travel & Tourism
competitiveness of countries around the world.
Sweden, Switzerland, and Denmark, three countries
were ranked on the top due to their good legislation,
proper implementation of rules & regulation and
practices of environmental protection and its
sustainability [17]. According to in-depth study of
WEF, these countries have focused on tourism sector
in a sustainable way [18].
According to Ahmed [16], Pakistan remained on
the ranks: stringency of environmental regulation-91,
enforcement of environmental regulation-103,
sustainability of T&T industry development-117,
carbon dioxide emissions-30, particulate matter
emission-122, threatened species-86, environmental
treaty ratification-52 (Table 3).
In 1983, mountaineering code of conduct was
prepared to monitor and control environmental
deterioration in mountainous region which tourists
visited for trekking, mountaineering and other
adventure tourism. In this frame, three rules were
imposed on mountaineering and trekking parties:
(1) Expedition/mountaineering/trekking party will
be responsible for cleaning all kind of filth, plastic
bags, tins, mountaineering gears, garbage etc. at the
camping site or trekking routes after their expedition
was over.
(2) Expedition and porters will be responsible for
deforestation and wildlife removal from the trekking
routes and campsites. Expedition will have to supply
kerosene oil to their porters for cooking and heating
purposes.
(3) If any expedition will find violated the rules and
regulations, that expedition, sponsor, travel/tour
company would be considered disqualified for a
period of four years for mountaineering in Pakistan.
Another rule was enforced in 1988 which
demanded international expedition to pay 200 USD
for removing garbage from base camps. It was also
mentioned that this money would be used for building
toilets and installing dustbins along the trekking routes
and campsites.
Expedition will have to deposit US$ 1000/- or
equivalent in Pakistani currency. This whole amount
or some of amount would be kept as penalty if any
expedition or its member was found destroying the
natural or physical environment at the destination.
To ensure all the above mentioned rules and
regulation, liaison officer was given responsibility to
issue the certificate of adherence to mountaineering
code of conduct.
In case of fake certificate issued by liaison officer
(from army), the matter would be conveyed to higher
authorities to take action against liaison officer. In
case of civilian liaison officer or tour guide, his/her
license/registration would be terminated and will be
considered disqualified for a period of four years.
7. Customary Practices of Tourism in
Gilgit-Baltistan
The history of travel and tourism is as old as the
history of Gilgit-Baltistan. Travelers or tourists have
 Review of Issues Related to Tourism Policies regarding Environmental Management and Customary
Practices of Tourism in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan
Table 3 The ranking of environmental sustainability travel & tourism competitiveness index in Pakistan, 2009.
Indicator
Stringency of environmental regulation
Enforcement of environmental regulation
Sustainability of T&T industry development
Carbon dioxide emissions
Particulate matter concentration
Threatened species
Environmental treaty ratification
Source: Ref. [18].
been visiting the area for various purposes like
military, adventurous, research, pilgrimage, trade and
using the area as transit destination for China and
Central Asian countries. There were no any hard and
fast customary rules, laws and practices regarding
tourism in Gilgit-Baltistan however there were some
rules for the travelers in specific areas like Hunza. In
Hunza it was Rajgiri (Miri) system and travelers were
not supposed to cross Chalt-Nager (olden entry point
to Hunza) unless Mir of Hunza gave permission letter
to FITs (free independent travelers) and GITs (group
independent travelers).
7.1 Traditional Practices of 4 As of Tourism in
Gilgit-Baltistan
7.1.1 Acceptance
Gilgit-Baltistan has been dealing with travelers and
tourists for a long period of time. Different practices
were adopted to handle these tourists in different areas
of Gilgit-Baltistan. There were (and still there are)
some areas like Hunza District, Astore District and
Skardu where tourist had been welcomed with warm
hospitality while in some areas of Diamer District
foreign tourists had not been warmly welcomed due to
their strict adherence to tribal culture and norms.
7.1.2 Accommodation
In olden times, there was no any hotel industry
working in Gilgit-Baltistan. There were rest houses
which were built during British colonial regime for
their accommodation. Only diplomats, government
officials or luxurious travelers were allowed to stay in
2
Rank/133 (2009)
91
103
117
30
122
86
52
those rest houses. Remaining tourists used to stay in
mosques, Sawab-e-Haa (free house) and in local
houses without paying money.
7.1.3 Access
There was no any proper transport system in earlier
times throughout Gilgit-Baltistan. Travelers covered
distances on foot. If distance was too long then they
used to opt horses, mules and donkeys as
transportation means.
7.1.4 Attraction
There were many attractions which compelled
tourists and travelers to visit Gilgit-Baltistan which
included local gastronomy, traditional dress (cap
ladies and gents, chogha etc.), traditionally built
houses, language, landscape, simple living and fresh
fruits. These amenities were attracting more tourists to
the area but many of the above mentioned tourism
assets are getting ruined now.
7.2 Portering
Porters are the most economically marginal people,
especially uneducated or less educated and jobless
members of poor and deprived families depend on
daily income. There are different practices of
portering in Gilgit-Baltistan. On some trekking routes
like in Raikor Valley, tourists have to hire local
people as porter from Tatoo village to fairy meadows.
It is same in Hunza. There is tribal ownership of
different pastures and only people from the specific
tribe can go as porter to the pastures. But on the
trekking routes in Skardu, there are no restrictions for
porters.
1092 Review of Issues Related to Tourism Policies regarding Environmental Management and Customary
Practices of Tourism in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan
8. Discussion
Any future plans should find appropriate policies
and programmes to solve problems of environmental
degradation while avoiding adverse effects on the
local economy. The result should be aimed at
maintaining ecological balance in the mountain areas.
Tourism infrastructure development is taking place all
over the Gilgit-Baltistan without any land use
planning and zoning, which can result in un-planned
and unmanageable towns and cities and could,
ultimately, destroy the natural beauty of the area, on
which the whole tourism sector is based. The tourism
flow is un-regulated without any regard to the carrying
capacity of a particular destination. Carrying
capacities have not been calculated for any of the
major tourist destinations in Gilgit-Baltistan. There
are certain rules and regulations mentioned in the
paper but not in practice. Gilgit-Baltistan has to have
legislation for tourism development and policy
implementation because this sector can be the
backbone of Gilgi-Blatistan’s economy. Ministry of
Tourism has made rules and regulations for tourists
when they visit to mountainous regions
unfortunately there is no implementation of rules,
policies and regulations. There are government
tourism directorates in different districts
Gilgit-Baltistan but with limited number of staff
working in these offices. There are no tourist
reception counters for guiding tourists and travelers.
According to Ministry of Tourism, 90% of domestic
tourists travel by road but the road is in critical
condition even in some touristic areas there is no
metal road available. So government needs to improve
the road condition to give easy access for the travelers
in Gilgit-Baltistan. There is no any policy for the
transportation and price (fare) control system in
Gilgit-Baltistan. Some transporters charge 10 times
more than the usual fare from tourists, which
de-motivate the tourists to revisit the area.
9. Conclusion
In tourism, careful planning is a prerequisite to
ensure that development is sustainable and does not
exceed the carrying capacity of resources, which
include both natural and man-made attractions.
Planning for sustainable tourism development should
take place at national, regional and local levels. The
major tools of planning are land use plans,
environmental impact assessments, legislative,
regulatory and enforcement measures, monitoring and
local participation. It is clearly a major task to
promote and develop behavior that acknowledges the
need to sustain and protect the mountain environment.
The requirements for this task include political will,
far-sighted policies, more efficient institutional
structures, better social partnerships and increased
participation of local people. Even if the work is
started now, it will continue to be the job of several
generations. It is utmost need indeed for Ministry of
Tourism to review its tourism policy and consider the
ground realities. Gilgit-Baltistan Government also has
to prepare its tourism master plan for tourism
but development and its management. So that this sector
could be used as an agent for economic prosperity and
poverty reduction in the region.
of
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