مرکز منطقه ای اطلاع رساني علوم و فناوري - ECO TOURISM IN NORTHERN PAKISTAN AND CHALLENGES PERSPECTIVE OF STAKEHOLDERS

Author/Authors :

ISRAR, MUHAMMAD NWFP Agriculture University - Institute of Development Studies, Pakistan , SHAFI, MALIK MUHAMMAD NWFP Agriculture University - Institute of Development Studies, Pakistan , KHAN, NAUSHAD NWFP Agriculture University - Institute of Development Studies, Pakistan , AHMAD, NAFEES University of Malakand - Department of Economics, Pakistan , BAIG, SULTAN NWFP Agriculture University - Institute of Development Studies, Pakistan , HAYAT KHAN, ZAPAR NWFP Agriculture University - Department of Agronomy, Pakistan

Abstract :

The present study was conducted during 2006 to evaluate the potential and opportunities of Eco-tourism and the problems faced by the stakeholders (tourists, tour operators and tourist s guides) in the Northern Areas of Pakistan. For this purpose these stakeholders with the sample size of 10, 12 and 48, in three villages of upper Hunza were purposively selected The data were collected through pre-tested interview schedule. The study revealed that 69% of the sample respondents were not satisfied with the existing policies and steps of government for tourism development. Thirty seven percent of the sample respondents described the role of NGG s as average in promotion of eco-tourism. The Karakoram high way was thought to be a source of attraction by the 53% of the sample respondents. Rivers and streams were also thought to be a major source ofattraction by 74% of sample respondents, as for mountains 84% of respondents strongly agreed, moreover 63% of the respondents agreed that biodiversity of mountains is a source of attraction. Fifty six percent of the sample respondents agreed that climbing is the source of attraction in the area. Policy formulation and implementation was thought to be a major obstacle in the way of promoting eco-tourism in the study area as, 77% of the sample respondents strongly agreed Most of the respondents (57%) agreed that the poor infrastructure is an obstacle, 81% of the sample respondents strongly agreed that security is also an obstacle. Moreover visa problem, flight problem and religious extremisms are also the major obstacle in promotion of eco-tourism in the area which should be addressed through its own decentralized tourism policy formation mechanism. Moreover visa extension facility, establishment of tourism training institute and the improvement in poor infrastructure especially the communication, transportation, operation of direct foreign flights to Gilgit and Skardu should be made available at minimum tolerable costs