Pakistan has announced a five-year ban on the construction of new hotels near its northern lakes, aiming to prevent environmental degradation in the picturesque region of Gilgit-Baltistan. The area, famous for its glaciers, towering peaks, and serene lakes, has seen a surge in unregulated construction driven largely by outside developers.
Khadim Hussain, a senior official from the Gilgit-Baltistan Environmental Protection Authority, stated, “If hotel construction continues at this pace, the natural landscape will be buried under concrete. Tourists come here to experience natural beauty, not concrete structures.”
Home to nearly 13,000 glaciers, Gilgit-Baltistan is one of the most environmentally sensitive regions in the world outside the polar zones. The recent growth in tourism has overwhelmed local infrastructure, leading to concerns over water, electricity shortages, and increased pollution.
Public outcry intensified last month when a foreign tourist’s viral Instagram video showed wastewater being discharged from a hotel into Attabad Lake—a major freshwater source. Authorities responded by fining the hotel over $5,000.
Locals and activists have welcomed the construction ban. Asif Sakhi, a political activist from Hunza, said the rapid expansion of tourism was damaging the region’s lakes and rivers. Shah Nawaz, a hotel manager in the valley, agreed, adding, “Protecting the environment and preserving natural beauty is everyone’s responsibility.”
The ban is being seen as a necessary step toward promoting sustainable tourism and preserving the unique ecological heritage of Pakistan’s northern highlands.
