Though Prime Minister Imran Khan wants Pakistan to be a global tourism hub, a World Bank report warns that tourism in the country is a burden and a danger to the local climate.
The Dire Situation in the Report
According to the report, tourism in mountainous areas causes increased noise, natural habitat destruction, and endangered species threats. “These effects can gradually destroy the environmental resources on which tourism itself depends,” said the report ‘Pakistan: Sustainable Solid Waste Management in Mountain Areas’.
According to the report, precise estimates on the amount and volume of waste in mountain areas are difficult to come by because they differ greatly based on tourist influx, geographic characteristics, and seasonal influences.
Furthermore, mountain areas face specific challenges such as a rapid increase in the amount of waste generated during tourism season, widely differing waste intensity, including vast amounts of plastic and other special waste, and land availability restrictions for waste management and disposal, all of which pose a challenge to environmental protection.
The vitality of The Mountain Regions in Pakistan
Mountain regions in Pakistan are becoming increasingly valuable. Especially in terms of tourism and have the ability to be a significant part of the economy. However, a polluted environment would make it difficult to realize the potential.
Pakistan\’s mountain range is extraordinary, with some of the world\’s tallest peaks and longest glaciers. It includes the Karakoram, Hindu Kush, and the Himalayas. The country\’s rivers, including the Indus, are fed by melting snow and meltwater. That comes from glaciers in the mountains. They are important for Pakistan\’s farming, commercial, and potable water needs.
Via opportunities for recycling, segregation, and decentralized practices, solid waste management in the mountains will provide employment for locals. Any leniency, on the other hand, will have long-term negative consequences for the climate, human health, and the local economy. This latter topic has already been raised in the paper.
Importance of Such Studies
The World Bank\’s analysis of solid waste management problems in these unique, ecologically vulnerable regions, which are facing grave challenges such as high poverty and increasing pressures from tourism growth, is the first study of its kind.
The Korea Green Growth Trust Fund has funded such research. The study\’s title is \”Supporting the Creation of Sustainable Solid Waste Management Strategies for India, Nepal, and Pakistan\’s Mountainous Regions.\”. Its aim is to assess the current state of solid waste management. Particularly in India\’s, Pakistan\’s, and Nepal\’s mountainous regions.
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