Due to increased tourist influx and lack of concern for planning and infrastructure by the concerned authorities, many tourist sites are facing serious problems. For instance, in Pakistan, Swat valley and Murree, being the most popular tourists sites are suffering from the increasing number of hotels. The hotels in Swat valley are dumping thousands of gallons of contaminated water and solid waste into River Swat, hence damaging the river ecosystem. Similarly, Murree once considered a small resort has now turned into a little tourist-town. According to some estimates, more than 200,000 domestic tourists visit Murree every year. On the other hand, the facilities available are those of a hill-station. This is evident from the acute shortage of potable water and other necessary facilities to accomodate large burden of these tourists. Water is acquired from water tankers that charge Rs. 1/- to Rs. 2/- per gallon, which is quite a high price for water.⁷

Lack of proper planning is also reflective in the case of Kaghan valley where poorly planned roads have been constructed in an attempt to widen the Kaghan valley road and the road to Saiful Muluk. The wholesale cutting of trees for the building of these roads has resulted in frequent land sliding that often leaves the road closed for several days. ⁸

The major destinations for the foreign tourists are the high mountain areas that lie beyond Gilgit and Skardu. According to the 1992 estimates, over 100,000 foreign trekkers and mountaineers visited that area every year. ⁹ However, due to the lack of basic tourist infrastructure on trekking routes, trekkers have to carry everything along with them—from basic kitchen utensils to portable furniture to trekking equipment to medicine. As these trekkers move on, they leave behind garbage and waste materials in large amount at the camping sites because of non-availability of adequate disposal facilities. Moreover, heap of non-biodegradable garbage is a common sight on popular trekking routes like Baltoro Trail. ¹⁰

In many areas, swelling number of tourists (often exceeding local inhabitants by two to three times) has resulted in the deforestation and forest degradation. In the Karakoram Range, for example, the route to Gasherbrum and Broad Peaks suffers from forest degradation and destruction of vegetation. This is due to the increased demand of fuel in order to fulfill the construction requirements for ever rising number of tourists visiting this area. ¹¹

As mentioned earlier, problem of solid waste and wastewater is becoming a serious threat to the environment in high mountain regions where, because of the cold climate, decomposition of waste material is a slow process. In Nanga Parbat area and campsites between Skardu and the base camp of K2, large quantity of non-biodegradable garbage, human waste and contaminated water supplies along the trekking routes have been observed.

Deforestation, degradation of forest resources, increase in the demands for fuel-wood, forage and forest products have also contributed to the dwindling of the wildlife population in many mountainous regions. As a result, Snow leopard, Marco Polo sheep, Ibex, Markhor, the Tibetan Wild Ass, Blue Sheep and Pheasants have become endangered species in many areas. ¹²

Interestingly, some innovative and high-payoff schemes have been implemented in these areas to promote sustainable use of biodiversity. In certain mountain areas of Pakistan (e.g. Chitral), valued hunting animals like Markhor and Ibex have been purposely increased beyond a minimum critical population. Their hunting licenses are then being issued in specified hunting seasons. A permit for one Markhor and Ibex costs US $4,000 and $3,000 respectively. The revenue generated as a result of this initiative is currently being shared by the government and the local community; whereby the latter receives 80 percent of the permit value. This provides a decent precedent for the promotion of eco-tourism while also benefiting the locals and increasing their participation in the business. ¹³

⁷ Ibid. 218.
⁸ Ibid. 216.
⁹ International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development - Newsletter No.28. 1997.[ International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD).]
¹⁰ Hussain, Syed S., Arshad M. Khan, and Shahzad A. Mufti, eds. Mountains of Pakistan: Protection, Potential and Prospects. Islamabad: Global Change Impact Studies Centre, 2003. 218.
¹¹ International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development - Newsletter No.28. 1997.[ International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD).]
¹² Ibid.
¹³ Ibid.

Tourism || Benefits and Distribution || Socio-Cultural Impacts