ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on Kashmir Affairs, Gilgit-Baltistan and Safron was Wednesday informed that overall the tourist inflow in Gilgit-Baltistan had declined by nearly 50 percent this year due to the law and order issues and floods.
Chief Secretary Gilgit-Baltistan told the committee that owing to the law and order issues, bookings were cancelled in May and June, followed by a 90 percent drop and a decline of overall 50 percent in tourist inflow due to the floods in July and August.
The committee, chaired by Senator Asad Qasim, was held to review flood impacts, rehabilitation measures, tourism challenges, and forest conservation efforts in Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).
The committee was briefed by the GB chief secretary on recent floods, causing human losses, injuries, and road blockages across multiple districts.
It was reported that 41 people lost their lives and 52 sustained injuries, while rehabilitation measures such as road clearance and restoration of connectivity were ongoing.
Skardu Road remained blocked for several days, hampering access to medical and emergency support.
The committee chairman expressed concern over recurring connectivity disruptions and stressed the importance of completing infrastructure projects.
He directed the authorities to submit details on the approved hotels/resorts based on EPI standards and emphasized the need for accurate data and transparent monitoring of funds.
The chief secretary said environmental mitigation measures were being enforced, including a review of hotel NoCs, with 30 percent already assessed for vulnerabilities.
“Hotels failing to install sewage treatment systems have been sealed to prevent environmental damage.”
Senator Sherry Rehman raised concerns about waterborne diseases in flood-hit areas and highlighted the urgent need for a comprehensive health and resettlement strategy for displaced populations.
She pointed out discrepancies in glacier lake data and stressed that weak institutional ownership undermines early warning systems.
She added that BISP funds should be released by the federal government at the earliest to assist the flood-affected people of Gilgit-Baltistan.
Acknowledging these concerns, Senator Asad Qasim proposed that a meeting of the standing committee be held to review glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs), and other climate related issues including deforestation.
The committee decided to visit Gilgit-Baltistan for direct assessment of disaster management and tourism-related mitigation efforts.
Additional secretary Ministry of Kashmir Affairs briefed the committee on forest resources in AJK, that forests constitute 46% percent of the total area of AJK and that a complete ban was in place on timber cutting, extraction, and transportation.
To strengthen forest protection, initiatives such as GIS-based mapping, drone surveillance, training of forest guards, creation of the post of Chief Conservator Forest, and stricter punitive actions are being implemented.
The future plans include afforestation and reforestation projects under the Green Pakistan Program.
Senator Asad Qasim cautioned that monocultural plantations, though fast-growing, harm fertile lands and stressed the need for sustainable plantation practices.
He urged the district administrations to adopt clear action plans for enforcement and conservation. Recommendations such as allocation of adequate financial resources and well-equipped fire response teams were also discussed.
The committee reviewed plantation clips and visual reports from different areas of AJK. The members agreed that an on-ground visit to AJK is essential for a comprehensive assessment.