GILGIT: According to a government body, Pakistan will prohibit the building of new hotels near scenic lakes in the country’s north, which draw tens of thousands of visitors annually, for a period of five years.
In Gilgit Baltistan (GB), which has more glaciers than any other nation outside of the polar regions with roughly 13,000, the unchecked building of hotels and guest cottages has raised serious worries about environmental deterioration.
With tall peaks looming over the Old Silk Road and a route that takes visitors past cherry orchards, glaciers, and ice-blue lakes, the area’s natural splendor has made it a popular tourist destination.
However, under the direction of foreign firms, development has surged in recent years, placing a strain on the region’s water and power supplies and increasing waste.
