Category: GBSTI
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Sustainable Tourism in Gilgit Baltistan: Ejaz Karim
Synopsis In this interview, Dr Jawad Syed (Professor, LUMS) speaks with Mr Ejaz Karim, General Manager of Serena Khaplu Palace, about the future of sustainable and responsible tourism in Gilgit-Baltistan. Mr Karim discusses the environmental pressures created by rapid tourism growth, unplanned construction, weak enforcement of regulations, and the region’s…
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Sustainable Tourism in Gilgit-Baltistan: Interview with Mr Arif Aslam Khan
Synopsis This interview features Dr Jawad Syed in conversation with Mr Arif Aslam Khan, Chairman of Shangrila Resort, Skardu, on the challenges and opportunities of sustainable tourism in Gilgit-Baltistan. The discussion argues that environmental degradation is driven not only by tourists but also by local stakeholders, including communities, hotel owners,…
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Guidelines for Responsible and Sustainable Tourism in Gilgit-Baltistan
Gilgit-Baltistan is one of the world’s most beautiful and culturally diverse mountain regions. With the privilege of visiting this extraordinary landscape comes a shared responsibility to respect its natural environment, local communities, cultural traditions, religious diversity, and way of life. These guidelines, developed under the Gilgit-Baltistan Sustainability Initiative (GBSTI), offer…
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Women’s Social Enterprise in Hunza, Gilgit Baltistan – Case of Ciqam: Aqeela Bano
Synopsis In this guest talk, Aqeela Bano, CEO of CIQAM, a women’s social enterprise in Hunza, shares the remarkable journey of an initiative that began in 2003 under Aga Khan Cultural Services Pakistan (AKCSP). Starting with the restoration of Altit Fort, CIQAM has challenged conventional gender norms by training and…
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Responsible and Sustainable Tourism in Gilgit-Baltistan: A Panel Discussion
Panelists: Dr Jawad Syed (Professor, LUMS, and Moderator), Ms Shehnaz Gul (Lecturer, KIU), and Mr Tajir Hussain (Lecturer, KIU) Date: 23 August 2023 Venue: Karakoram International University, Karimabad Campus, Hunza Synopsis This panel discussion explores the opportunities and challenges associated with the rapid growth of tourism in Gilgit-Baltistan, with particular…
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A Postcolonial Perspective on Cultural Identity of the Balti People
Gilgit Baltistan Sustainable Tourism Initiative (#GBSTI) series Article’s title: A postcolonial perspective on cultural identity: the Balti people “of” Pakistan Estelle Dryland, Jawad Syed Journal: Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Abstract The aim of this paper is to explore issues of cultural identity of the people of Baltistan and any challenges…
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Save Keno Daas and Danyor Rock Carvings in Gilgit
Keno Daas rock carvings are an important archaeological site in Gilgit. It comprises several ancient inscriptions on numerous rocks from the 7th and 8th centuries A.D. Danyor Rock Inscriptions is another valuable archaeological site in Danyor, Gilgit. It is a gigantic boulder bearing inscriptions from the 7th and 8th centuries…
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Responsible Tourism in Gilgit-Baltistan: A Call for Respect and Mindfulness
Here’s an extract of my interview with Mr. Ejazullah Baig, Curator of the historic Baltit Fort in Hunza. His message to tourists visiting Gilgit-Baltistan is powerful, timely, and deserves to be amplified. Here are the key takeaways from his conversation: Respect Religious and Sectarian Harmony:Gilgit-Baltistan is home to a diverse…
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Gilgit Baltistan Sustainability Initiative (GBSTI)
Gilgit Baltistan Sustainable Tourism Initiative (GBSTI) is an initiative of academics of Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) and the Karakoram International University (KIU) to promote sustainable and responsible tourism in Gilgit Baltistan. GBSTI seeks to develop and disseminate audiovisual and written materials to increase awareness about responsible and sustainable…
South Asian Academy of Management 