PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has developed a responsible tourism model with a focus on solid waste management at major tourist spots of the province.

A senior official told Dawn that the idea behind the plan was to keep those spots clean. He said that the responsible tourism strategy revolved around the adage “leave nothing behind but footprints.” He said that the model would focus on solid waste collection at major tourist spots.

Documents available with Dawn show that KP Integrated Tourism Department (KITE) project underscores preservation of environmental value and enabling factors for responsible tourism.

The document says while tourism has proved its mark in job creation and local economic development, it is important for all stakeholders to work together for protection of ecosystem, aquaculture, riverine and wildlife and heritage sites of the significant historic value.

All stakeholders to work together for protection of ecosystem, aquaculture

It stated that the objective was key pillar of National Coordination Committee on Tourism that was notified by Prime Minister Imran Khan in August this year. It said that protection of environment through collection and management of waste and recycling of plastic was already within the scope of KITE project.

The document said that the main focus of the plan was on implementation of improved solid waste management measures, which included awareness campaigns for tourists, communities and private business (hotels, restaurants, home stays, tour operators and transporters) as well provision of training, essential infrastructure and equipment such as compactors, dumpers, bins and systems for collection of recyclable and solid waste.

It said that KITE and Economic Revitalisation of KP Project had already provided two excavators, six garbage compactors, four dumper truck and more than 300 dustbins for collecting and removing waste in the limits Galiyat Development Authority, Kaghan Development Authority and tehsil municipal administration of Kalam.

The proposal said that earlier this month, tourism department secretary held detailed meeting with the representatives of World Bank where it was decided that proper waste collection and management system would be adopted in Galiyat, Kaghan, Kumart, Chitral and Kalam.

The meeting also discussed that the KITE would make procurement of necessary machinery as well as required infrastructure and it would be complemented by the efforts of the local development authorities in collaboration with private sector and possibly a conglomerate of fast moving consumer goods that would design and launch awareness campaigns on waste minimisation, curbing littering and recycling among tourists and local communities.

The document said that the same alliance would be extended for operations and management of pre-fabricated toilets being installed by using KITE resources. “Nestle and FMCGs would be contributing to this important initiative on responsible tourism through their corporate social responsibility teams,” said the document.

To this effect, director generals of KDA and GDA have been directed to finalise specifications and biddings documents of required solid waste management and collection machinery by using market survey to ensure proper functioning of these machines and vehicles in hilly areas.

In addition to this, the officers have been directed to prepare operation and maintenance plans for solid waste management and collection machinery as the proper care, parking and servicing of these will ensure durability and continued use over the years.

The officers have been asked to complete development process and acquisition of land for landfill sites as already communicated by GDA in Dhamtor, and Chitta Katha, Naran and Kaghan Larri.

Published in Dawn, September 28th, 2020