The title came from my heart while skimming through pictures of beautiful Pakistan - Save what is left...
Pakistan – home to breathtaking geological beauty and scintillating culture. A country with towering peaks - spectacular mountain ranges a dynamic landscape; stunning rivers, deserts, lakes, waterfalls, springs, and glaciers and impenetrable fortresses – we seem to have it all in great abundance. But sadly promoting tourism in Pakistan means contamination of land, water and environment excessively, wall chalking, clogged roads, disrespecting nature and communities (including women & children), fading cultural values & local cuisines. All because people demand urban lifestyle instead of connecting with nature and protecting it. We need to educate our nation and the best way is to start with yourself.
I am an enthusiastic traveler and I try my best to be a responsible one too. Often it is sad and painful to see mature adults leaving behind trash for the locals to clean-up after them. I repeatedly ask myself, why do people spend so much money to travel to see gorgeous landscapes and leave behind trash to complain later, Pakistan is very dirty...
I want to share my respect for people living in the mountains, with little resources but big hearts and more civilized.
You will notice heartfelt messages especially in Hunza district of Gilgit Baltistan.
At Beyal Camp the locals have made wooden litter bins. Unfortunately the clear sign on it: “USE ME!!! Keep the area clean…Don’t Throw Rubbish in open places” is completely ignored. A local girl pointed out how they dislike when people visit Fairy Meadows they throw empty bottles, wrappers & juice boxes in the streams they use for drinking and washing. It’s a shame, when I was collecting pieces of paper strewn around the forest towards Beyal Camp; our own local travelers started mocking.
Reuse - Reduce - Recycle
In Chipursan valley, Upper Hunza, everything goes into their cast iron stoves. It was interesting to see how these people recycle, reuse and burn everything as it disappears in the burning fire.
(School children in Hunza cleaning up and disposing trash)
On the way to Shigar I saw children nailing handmade recycled bins on the concrete walls before going to school. In Shigar and Khaplu you will notice beautiful looking recycled trash cans.
Shimshal a remote village in Gojal Hunza uses solar panels to generate electricity There are almost 250 houses in Shimshal and almost every house uses solar panels to generate electricity.
You will see these signs everywhere in Shimshal
You don't need resources to dispose off trash, just the sense of responsibility to dump the garbage. You will notice a lot of handmade garbage disposals in Gilgit Baltistan. Be a responsible traveler and make good use of them.
You will notice handwoven gorgeous baskets at Borith Lake Hotel & Resort (Gojal Hunza)
My humble request for all those planning to travel (North - South - East or West) locally or internationally. * Please make sure you don't litter. * Please make sure you carry one plastic bag with u (size & number depends on your travel days) Please Note: If you are traveling towards Hunza plastic is already banned * Even if you don't intend to clean up the area you are traveling to - just make sure you don't add to the litter * Make a pact not to throw any trash in the forests/ rivers/lakes/waterfalls/puddles/ valleys and villages * The snow melts and the litter remains buried in snow and stays there for years to come * Educate children you are traveling with, about respecting nature and importance of cleanliness Respect nature / places / people - it'll only benefit our children to come
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