ISLAMABAD: Experts have called for practicing ecotourism for sustainable development of local resources and communities.

Speaking at a training workshop arranged by National Centre for Rural Development on ‘Ecotourism and sustainable development’, they urged the participants to play their role in practicing the ecotourism framework right from individual and family picnics to tourism involving larger groups.

According to a statement, they also urged the authorities to ensure implementation of sustainable development models, engaging community-based interventions. The provincial government shall devolve powers to union council level and develop a system for local development and community empowerment.

As many as 34 mainly mid-career professionals from different cities including northern parts of Pakistan, participated in the three-day training workshop. It was organised by the Akhtar Hameed Khan National Centre for Rural Development (NCRD), and concluded on Sunday.

The expert trainers included founder and director Pakistan Mountain Festival Munir Ahmed, Ev-K2-CNR scientific adviser Ashiq Ahmed Khan, PTDC Managing Director Aftabur Rehman, former IG forests Syed Nasir Mahmood and former bureaucrat Zafarullah Siddiqi.

Munir Ahmed conducted a session based on the SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) analysis. He presented a 10-point action agenda for the participants to take upon their future discourse. He urged the provincial governments to urgently form and establish the provincial tourism coordination boards, and the local tourism coordination committees to ensure ecotourism practices. He said that the infrastructure at the tourist destinations shall be environment friendly.

Ashiq Ahmed Khan said tourists go to the far-flung areas for living in nature, and watching the biological diversity.

“These resources must be protected through the ecotourism policies and practices by engaging all the stakeholders. Every tourist destination has very peculiar resources and landscapes that can be used in the watch and enjoy formula. The local communities shall be empowered for raising their local challenges to authorities for a policy change, and educate the tourists about conservation of their local natural resources, biodiversity and wildlife,” he said.

Aftabur Rehman Rana said the government was making every effort to promote tourism in the country and in the next two years there will be a lot of development in the tourism industry. He said that several tourism projects were in the final stages of completion which would further improve the tourist arrivals in the country.

“Pakistan has an amazing landscape, natural beauty, history, rich culture and heritage. The three mountain ranges, glaciers, lakes, valleys, and unique wild flora and fauna can attract tourism from both local and foreign markets. The British Backpacker Society (BBS) has ranked Pakistan as the world’s top adventure travel destination,” he said.

Published in Dawn, August 21st, 2023