Gilgit Baltistan, formerly the Northern Areas, is a part of Pakistan’s Kashmir region. The area has been the subject of a long-standing dispute between India and Pakistan. China has made investments in the area. However, there are many questions surrounding the region. In this article, we will explore the region’s culture, high mountain ranges, and CPEC.
High mountain ranges
Gilgit Baltistan is located in the northern part of Pakistan. It is home to some of the world’s highest mountain ranges. Among these mountains are the Himalaya, Karakoram and Hindukush. These mountain ranges are located near the confluence of the Gilgit and Indus rivers. Among these three mountain ranges, the Himalaya is the highest.
The high mountain ranges in Gilgit-Baltistan are a beautiful part of Pakistan. These mountains are home to a population of people with diverse cultures and values. The region is famous for its landscape and rich cultural heritage. This is a place that is not to be missed if you are planning a holiday.
The high mountain ranges in Gilgit Baltistán are a fantastic place to go trekking. They are home to 18 of the world’s 50 tallest peaks and three of the world’s longest glaciers. The area is also one of the most popular tourist destinations in Pakistan. Many people from around the world have visited this region to hike or climb the mountains.
The area around the town of Skardu is surrounded by the majestic Himalayan ranges of Ghanche, which include K2 (8,611 m) and the Saltoro Kangri (31st highest peak in the world). There are many other high mountains in the area, including the historic town of Askole. The region also contains the Biafo Glacier and major portions of the Hispar Glacier.
CPEC
The CPEC project offers a lot of opportunities for Gilgit-Baltistan’s farmers. The CPEC is expected to facilitate exports of local fruits and vegetables. But local farmers may face a few challenges. Due to trade barriers, access to Chinese markets is still limited for many local fruits and vegetables. In Gilgit-Baltistan, the most promising agricultural commodity is fresh cherries. However, the potential for export of other local commodities is not yet fully realized.
The CPEC project will improve transportation and communication, and will help diversify the economy of Gilgit-Baltistan. It will also give Gilgit-Baltistan a central role in the CPEC project. Ultimately, this project will provide jobs and improve the socioeconomic status of the region.
However, CPEC could also lead to violence and instability. Militant groups have repeatedly attacked Pakistani and Chinese personnel in Gilgit Baltistan, threatening the project’s security. Recent attacks on Chinese military installations in Balochistan and attacks on Pakistani civilians in major cities also pose serious security concerns. The recent collective murder of 43 Ismaili Muslims in Karachi has further exacerbated the situation.
In addition to competition from CPEC, the project may face opposition from Iran’s Chabahar port. Located just a few miles away from Gwadar, Chabahar will be an important gateway to Europe and the Middle East.
China’s investments
China has made significant investments in Gilgit Baltistan in recent years. The most lucrative sectors include fruit production and export-oriented agriculture. However, there are risks that the investments could not yield positive results in the long term. In addition, some pests and diseases could affect the region’s crop yields. Therefore, it is unwise to depend on a single crop for export production.
Some locals complain that Chinese firms violate local laws and fail to contribute to the development of the region. For example, a prominent politician in Gilgit Baltistan has challenged China’s control of the port and declared it a national asset of the Gilgit-Baltistan government. He also demands that China pay royalty payments to local residents. Such conflicts between Chinese and locals are not a new phenomenon.
Another reason China is investing in Gilgit-Baltistan is because it is vital to the creation of a land route linking west China and eastern Pakistan. This land area is strategically located along the border with Xinjiang province. This could further complicate the standoff and lead to a two-front conflict. Furthermore, Pakistan may be trying to gain greater access to Gilgit and Ladakh, separated by the Siachen Glacier.
Moreover, the CPEC promises to improve agricultural exports in Gilgit-Baltistan. However, recent developments seem to contradict this narrative. Agricultural exports to China via the Khunjerab Pass have largely halted. The main reasons for this are the increased SPS restrictions imposed by the Chinese authorities, and competition with Xinjiang.
Culture
The people of Gilgit-Baltistan are ethnically diverse and come from various sects. This diversity is reflected in their customs, traditions, and culture. While some of these cultures are similar to others, there are also many distinct differences. Read on to learn about the different types of culture in Gilgit-Baltistan.
The Gilgit-Baltistan region is a growing tourist destination, and over the weekend, a cultural museum opened in Manningham, where artefacts from the region were displayed. Kamran Asif, a climate change analyst for the United Nations, gave a talk about the region and the tourism potential there.
Before the establishment of Islam, Gilgit-Baltistan had a unique ethnic and religious set-up. As a result, both groups developed their own unique cultures. The state-sponsored military coup in 1977 brought in a new political power, Zia-ul-Haq. The military ruler forged close ties with the religious establishment and the military, and this influence extended into democratically elected governments.
Gilgit-Baltistan is also home to several endangered mountain cultural traditions. Because the region is isolated from the rest of the world, life in Gilgit-Baltistan was traditionally centered on agriculture and livestock. Today, the people of the region are diverse and multi-cultural. The main languages spoken in the region include Burshaki, Balti, and Chinese.
As a result, Gilgit-Baltistan has experienced a dramatic rise in literacy rates. Nonetheless, the culture has lost touch with its roots. The region’s modernization process has exposed the people to new ideas, institutions, and lifestyles. These changes have affected the morals of its citizens.
Languages
The government of Gilgit-Baltistan has been working on preserving its language heritage for a long time. Recently, they invited heads of language academies from other provinces, as well as language practitioners, academics, and poets and writers to participate in a two-day consultation conference. The conference was held at the Karakoram International University. The event served as an important step toward the preservation of the language diversity in Gilgit-Baltistan.
The languages of Gilgit-Baltistan are endangered. Most of these languages are spoken in remote mountain villages, and they face challenges such as monopolization by the major languages and a lack of documentation and preservation. The UN has outlined several steps that must be taken in order to protect these languages.
The languages of Gilgit-Baltistan are diverse, with more than 50 varieties. Many speak the same language, but others use different dialects. Among them is the Balti language, which has Sino-Tibetan roots. This language is widely spoken in the Skardu district.
Another language of Gilgit-Baltistan is the Shina language. This dialect is closer to its Dardic neighbors than its Midland cousins, but it has lost much of its Central Group features. It is spoken by about 500 people, and is undergoing a rapid decline.
Traditional knowledge of medicinal plants
The indigenous communities of Gilgit Baltistan rely on local medicinal plants to treat common ailments. The region is rich in plant resources, and has historically been a crossroads for religious and cultural exchange, making traditional knowledge of medicinal plants particularly important. The region’s interactions with the Indian subcontinent and other cultures have led to adaptations and upgrades in local healing systems. Specifically, Ayurveda and Chinese medicinal systems were introduced to Gilgit-Baltistan, resulting in a rich medicinal plant diversity that has influenced traditional medical practices in the region.
While a growing body of literature exists about medicinal plants in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan, the available literature is fragmented and lacks comprehensive information. This made it necessary to conduct a study that compiles data about the medicinal plants on the Deusai plateau. This project examined the availability of medicinal plants in the area, the status of the region’s biodiversity, and the traditional knowledge and uses of these plants.
Traditional knowledge of medicinal plants in Gilgit Baldistan has been preserved by local people for centuries. However, there are several challenges to maintaining this knowledge. The illiteracy of local residents, unscientific extraction of natural vegetation, and corrupt forest officials pose major threats to plant biodiversity. To overcome these challenges, local communities should be educated about the importance of these plants and taught how to harvest and store them. This would help them create additional sources of income and reduce the pressure on valuable medicinal plants.
Traditional knowledge of medicinal plants in Gilgit Balatistan is mostly held by the older generations. Unfortunately, the younger generation is not familiar with such traditional practices. Therefore, the goal of the study was to help transfer this knowledge to younger generations.
