ISLAMABAD: Unplanned construction in the northern areas is destroying the region’s beauty and encroaching on the local infrastructure, musician and artist Doulat Wali Baig, from Gilgit-Baltistan said on Thursday.

Mr Baig, who is also a mountain ambassador, was speaking at an interactive session held to mark International Mountain Day organised by the Pakistan Youth Hostels Association (PYHA). He said that unplanned construction is being carried out by investors using the resources of local people in GB, which is a matter of concern.

For example, he said, new hotels are using water from pipelines meant for the local population.

A large number of local young people are migrating to other cities because of the lack of higher education institutions, he added. There is a wide gap between education and industry, and the country’s education system should be connected to the job market, he said.

Mr Baig also performed with legendary singer Jan Ali Jan.

Other speakers at event included mountain ambassadors Sadia Amman Rathore and Afshan Tehseen Bajwa, development communications specialist Munir Ahmed and others.

Ms Rathore urged the media to promote mountain tourism and conservation, while Ms Bajwa said there need to be proper links between the centre and periphery.

PYHA National Secretary Qazi Humayun said Pakistan has 11 key peaks, including K-2, the world’s second highest mountain. He added that glaciers are a lifeline for rivers and mountain conservation and utilisation could boost the country’s economy.

Safwan Shahab Ahmed from the Pakistan Wildlife Foundation said there should be limited and well-planned promotion of mountain tourism.

Mr Ahmed, who founded the Pakistan Mountain Festival, highlighted the importance of the mountains and said the Pakistan government needs to take drastic measures to promote mountain tourism.

He said young people can play a vital role in promoting mountain tourism and conservation, as this year’s theme for International Mountain Day is ‘Mountains Matter for Youth’.

Earlier, participants of the session paid tribute to short story writer Mazharul Islam for organising a seminar on this subject.

Published in Dawn, December 13th, 2019