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In a decisive move to protect its fragile ecosystem, the Hunza district administration in Gilgit-Baltistan has cancelled all No Objection Certificates (NOCs) issued for new construction in Central Hunza, Attabad Lake, Borith Lake, and Duiker valley.
According to an official notification by Deputy Commissioner Khozaima Anwar, the decision is aimed at preserving environmental integrity, safeguarding public health, and ensuring sustainable tourism in the region.
The order stresses that unchecked construction is posing a serious threat to water and air quality, and to Hunza’s already vulnerable natural landscape.
The directive highlights that Attabad Lake – formed after a 2010 landslide – is not only a popular tourist site but also the sole water source for Central Hunza.
Officials warned that construction near its shores falls within the lake’s ecological buffer zone, and continued development could lead to irreversible damage to the ecosystem.
“Environmentally unfriendly tourism is not in anyone’s interest,” the deputy commissioner’s office stated. “Our top priority is to preserve the region’s natural beauty and resources for future generations.”
This move comes amid growing concerns from environmentalists and local communities about over-tourism, pollution, and unsustainable infrastructure development in one of Pakistan’s most scenic and ecologically sensitive regions.
