By Meher Ali Shahab
Gilgit Baltistan (GB) is a beautiful piece of land in the North of Pakistan. It is famous all over
the Word because of its heart catching beauty and natural resources. Geo strategically it has great
importance for Pakistan. GB is bordering with Afghanistan (North), China (Northeast), Azad
Kashmir (South), Indian held Kashmir in (Southeast), KP (West). It got freedom in 1 Nov 1947
right after independence of Pakistan. It remained independent state for sixteen days. On 16 Nov
1947 it was given under the control of Pakistan and in this way it became Part of Pakistan.
GB is famous for its sky touching highest mountains and glaciers. Five of the 8 thousanders and
50 peaks above 7000 meters are found here. World’s second highest peak K2 (Mount Godwin-
Astin) and Nanga Parbat is lies here. Three of the World’s longest glaciers Biafo Glacier, the
Batoro Glacier and the Batura Glacier are also found in GB. These peaks attract the
mountaineers from all over the World. Many mountaineers have lost their lives while
mountaineering. Mountaineering schools are opened to train the locals are also interesting in this
skill.
These Glaciers are main source of water. Rivers are flowing from these glaciers. Beautiful
waterfalls are seen everywhere. The melodious sound of these waterfalls give internal
satisfaction to viewers. The movement of blue color water in streams looks like a moving snake
on the land. Rivers are also main source of power generation. In GB electricity is generated by
this water. Rivers is cheapest source of power generation.
GB is famous for various fruits like apricots, apples, cherry, grapes, almonds, pears, peach,
walnuts and many other yummy fruits found here. These are also used as dry fruits in winters to
keep warm themselves. Locals sell these fruits and earn money. Fruits are exported to many
countries.
Hospitality is tradition of G.B inhabitants. They are peace loving and caring people. This land is
famous for cultural foods. Special cultural foods are served to guests. Every area has its own
special foods. People are highly educated. They have great value of education therefore many
private and government schools established to educate people.
The beauty of this land attracts foreign and local tourists. In summer season tourists from other
parts of Pakistan, move towards GB to enjoy natural beauty. Hotels, motels and government and
private guest houses are filled with tourist. Tourism is main source of income for locals. They
run private guest houses and earn money. This money is mostly used for education. Almost new
generation is getting education in down cities and this money is sent to them.
This tourism has positive as well as negative impacts on the natural resources and environment.
Every year flow of tourist is increasing these for construction is also increasing. Beautiful
gardens and fields are turning into guesthouses, motels, hotels and restaurants. Trees are cut
down and huge buildings replace these. This is big alarming situation for natural beauty of GB.
Our
Locals as well as tourists face many environmental problems. Major environmental problem is
air pollution, which comes from tourism. Air is polluted by the vehicles, which are running on
roads in huge number. In huge number, vehicles are seen running on roads. They are emitting
carbon monoxide and fresh air is polluted, which is main cause of global warming. These gases
are responsible for depletion of ozone layer and in this way temperature on earth is increasing.
Due to this, global warming glaciers of GB are badly affected. They are melting rapidly and
people have to face floods. These poisonous gases are harm full for human being, animals,
plants and also for aquatic life.
Land resources consisting of forests, wildlife, minerals and fertile soil is damaged. The rapid
construction of residential facilities damages the landscape and natural resources. Forest and
many natural resources are destroyed by clearing them for constructional purposes. The ignorant
tourists ignore the environmental rules. Their miss use of resources damage environment.
This is the responsibility of local government and other NGOs, who are working for the
conservation of natural resources. Water management, tourism department, WWF, legislative
departments and local NGOs should take steps to control the problems. There should be proper
dispose system for garbage. Government should control the random construction of hotels and
guesthouses. Although local government is working to promote touristal department along that
they should consider their environmental problems also. GB is full of natural resources these for
their should be proper conservation system.
Local masses should also play their role to clean their environment. If the natural resources and
the natural beauty not preserved than our coming generation will not be able to enjoy these
resources. It is our responsibility to take care of these all.
