Editorial

Plastic Ban in Gilgit-Baltistan: The Need for a Sustainable Policy

Published

2 years ago

June 21, 2024

Owing to the rising threat of climate change to vital sources of fresh water that the region possesses, a ban is in place on using plastic bags across Gilgit-Baltistan. Although the success of such initiatives depends on the administration to provide affordable alternative means, the impoverished masses have been cooperative, thus already using indigenous techniques to cope with the rapid changes made by global warming.

In several places, the adaptation of techniques like glacier marriages and ice stupas remain instrumental, not only to provide the communities with an alternate source of water, especially during dry seasons but also to help extend the overall lifespan of glaciers. However, these efforts are marred by the rising air pollution in the region due to wood burning for heating purposes.

On the one hand, massive tree-cutting activity is a primary source of the degradation of forests, thus adding to climate hazards like soil erosion and floods. On the other hand, wood burning has been an imminent cause of glacier melting and health-related issues. Additionally, unplanned urban development and immense population growth pose an enormous challenge to the ecologically sensitive region of Gilgit-Baltistan. Haphazard construction of concrete jungles in the cities of Gilgit and Skardu without proper drainage and sewerage systems, while becoming a chief cause of the rise in warming, adds to climate hazards and wreaks havoc on the quality of soil, polluting rivers and streams.

That said, the plastic ban initiative, a step in the right direction, would be tested during the summer when a sizeable number of tourists visit the region, thus straining its resources, warming the environment, and increasing pollution. To make this initiative successful in the long run, the administration needs to incentivize, train and empower local communities.

Encouraging community policing would regulate summer tourism, and placing community-wise plastic recycling plants and training local masses to use those machines would certainly prove effective. Considering the major elements, there is an urgent need to declare a climate emergency in Gilgit-Baltistan. The need to devise a comprehensive sustainable policy (keeping energy policy a priority) and highlight the region’s vulnerabilities in national and international forums to attract investment for policy implementation is now crucial.

About Author

Imran Ali

The writer is the Founder & CEO of The Karakoram Magazine. Additionally, he is a nuclear scholar fellow at the Centre for Security Strategy and Policy Research (CSSPR) and can be reached at aleee.imran@gmail.com.

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Editorial

Political Polarization in Gilgit-Baltistan

Published

3 years ago

March 8, 2023

Lala Rukh Ramal

Party politics is rather a new thing when it comes to the politics of Gilgit-Baltistan. The region, which was previously run by a diversity of ideologies and beliefs, is now largely affected by high-reaching posts across social media platforms. These widely spread on-screen ideas and (mis) informative tips are greatly affecting the youth of the region.

Political polarization is what takes people away from developing well-informed decisions made through deep learning and makes them leap into unguided views. On top of the religious divide that has previously done huge damage in the region, political polarization is also on the rise in Gilgit-Baltistan’s political arena. It is understandable that different political parties will differ on any given point, but the extent to which these parties vehemently oppose each other is a clear indication of political polarization, which was not that prominent in the past.

Recently, this polarization has hit a new low and it has permeated into the general public owing to the ease of access of social media. The polarization which was once a chasm between the politicians now is commonplace among the political supporters. The intensity of polarization can be judged by the unsubstantiated and pervasive social media smear campaigns by political opponents. It has even smeared the family dynamics and bound to deteriorate the very social fabric of society if remained unleashed.

The supporters in general and the politicians in particular need to understand that this unembellished trend of polarization is doing no good to the populace of Gilgit-Baltistan. It could cost them whatever little respect they enjoy being ‘public servants’.

The authorities need to consider the effects of such a phenomenon on the very future of the area. There is a dire need to provide platforms that promote the advent of taking information from viable sources to achieve well-informed decisions. These platforms can be utilized to instill the more important characteristics in the youth of the region. Instead of promoting political partisanship which is dragging youth towards extreme ends, there could be developed the likes of leadership and decision-making qualities. Developing such qualities would not only benefit the youth, but also benefit the educational and leadership dynamics of the region in the long-run.

We, as a society, need to be able to accept and celebrate diversity in all its forms— whether it be social or political. The region of Gilgit-Baltistan does not need any more extreme ideologies dividing the masses since it has already done enough damage in the past.

More than the politicians, we, the supporters and voters, must comprehend that there is no gain in being politically polarized.

About Author

Lala Rukh Ramal

The writer is an associate editor at The Karakoram Magazine and is also pursuing a master’s degree in Chinese politics from the Silk Road School, Renmin University of China.

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