EPA urges immediate ban on Hunza new hotels constructions
Hunza at a tipping point: GB-EPA recommends immediate freeze on new hotel projects in sensitive zones
In a significant move to address growing environmental concerns, the Gilgit-Baltistan Environmental Protection Agency (GB-EPA) has proposed a five-year suspension on new hotel developments and expansions across four ecologically vulnerable areas: Central Hunza, Duikar, Attabad Lake, and Borith Lake.
The recommendation, issued on July 1st, 2025, by GB-EPA Director Khadim Hussain in a letter to the Deputy Commissioner of Hunza, underscores the mounting environmental challenges stemming from unchecked tourism-related construction. Findings from the agency’s recent studies and environmental surveys reveal alarming signs of environmental degradation, including pollution of water bodies, worsening air quality, strain on natural resources, and ecosystem disruptions—all exacerbated by uncontrolled tourism growth.
In Central Hunza, many hospitality businesses are found to be operating without effective sewage systems, leading to untreated waste being released into vital water sources like the Hunza River. The contaminated water increases the risk of serious health issues such as hepatitis, typhoid, and dysentery among both locals and visitors. Additionally, the frequent use of diesel-powered generators is contributing heavily to air pollution, tarnishing the region’s reputation as a pristine, nature-based tourist destination. According to the agency, Central Hunza has already surpassed its tourism carrying capacity, and any further development could lead to lasting ecological damage and a decline in the quality of visitor experience.
In Duikar—a scenic hilltop area renowned for its panoramic views—uncontrolled hotel construction is causing accelerated environmental stress. The lack of proper waste management, over-extraction of natural resources, and unregulated solid waste disposal are all putting fragile mountain ecosystems at risk.
Attabad Lake, now classified as a key source for drinking water under the Greater Hunza Water Supply Scheme, is facing immediate environmental threats due to lakeside hotel expansion. The EPA warns that if such unregulated growth continues, the lake’s water quality could be compromised. This, in turn, may lead to increased flash flood and landslide hazards, alongside ecosystem instability. The agency is urging a complete construction ban around the lake and calling for stricter regulation of boating to ensure that activity levels remain within safe ecological limits.
Borith Lake, a high-altitude wetland protected under the Gilgit-Baltistan Forest Act (2019), serves as a critical habitat for migratory and endangered bird species. The EPA has expressed grave concerns over hotel sewage draining into the lake, which could lead to eutrophication and destroy the aquatic environment. Human activity, including boating, is also disturbing the nesting areas of birds. The agency recommends granting the lake formal status as a protected eco-tourism area, halting any further construction and strictly regulating all recreational activities.
The EPA’s letter refers to existing environmental legislation, particularly the Gilgit-Baltistan Environmental Protection Act (2014) and the newly introduced Ecologically Sensitive and Critical Areas (ESCA) Rules (2024), which authorize local authorities to take protective measures against harmful development.
The agency is advocating for a pivot from mass tourism to a more sustainable eco-tourism model—one that involves community participation, limits environmental footprints, and helps conserve both cultural and natural heritage.
The GB-EPA concludes with a clear warning: immediate action is critical to prevent permanent loss of one of the planet’s most remarkable mountain ecosystems. The short-term economic gains from over-tourism, the agency emphasizes, should not come at the cost of long-term environmental, health, and economic well-being.
