Pakistan Bans New Hotel Construction in Gilgit-Baltistan for Five Years to Protect Natural Beauty

In a major step to protect the environment, Pakistan has imposed a five-year ban on the construction of new hotels near the lakes of Gilgit-Baltistan. The move aims to stop rapid environmental damage in the region, which is famous for its glaciers, rivers, and untouched natural beauty.

According to the Gilgit-Baltistan Environmental Protection Authority (GB-EPA), the decision comes amid growing concern over unregulated hotel and guesthouse construction, especially by companies from outside the region.

Gilgit-Baltistan is home to more than 13,000 glaciers, making it the most glacier-rich area outside the polar regions. Its stunning valleys, ice-blue lakes, and towering peaks attract tens of thousands of tourists every year. But this growing interest has led to problems.

In recent years, hotel construction has increased quickly, placing strain on local water and electricity resources. Waste disposal has also become a major issue.

“If we let them construct hotels at such a pace, there will be a forest of concrete,” said Khadim Hussain, a senior official at GB-EPA. “People don’t come here to see concrete; they come to enjoy natural beauty.”

Last month, a foreign tourist posted a video on Instagram that showed wastewater being discharged into Lake Attabad, a major freshwater source in Hunza. The video went viral, prompting immediate action from local authorities. The hotel responsible was fined over $5,000 the next day.

This incident became a turning point in the fight for environmental protection in the region.

The five-year construction ban has been welcomed by locals and activists.
Asif Sakhi, a political activist in Hunza Valley, said that hotel construction is “destroying our natural lakes and rivers.”
Shah Nawaz, a hotel manager in the valley, also supported the ban. “Protecting the environment and natural beauty is everyone’s responsibility,” he said.

The ban is expected to give authorities time to introduce better regulations and promote eco-friendly tourism in the area.