Geotourism Development Hunza Valley, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan

 The concept of Geotourism has been introduced by Chinese geologists to develop their tourism departments across China. Since then, this department has been growing rapidly in China and other developed areas of the world. Gilgit-Baltistan and other such gorgeous areas of Pakistan also need to introduce this concept that they could develop as other parts of the country.

Pakistan is such a country in the world that enjoys all four seasons, temperature variation from -60 degree centigrade to 55-degree centigrade in the lower parts such as Sibi and Jaccobabad, there exist three mountain ranges, their junction point, all three and sub-types of rocks, various minerals, gemstones, tall and lofty mountains and snow-capped eight-thousanders peaks, glaciers, plateaus, plains, rivers, lakes, and ocean. This part of the world is really spectacular that attracts national and international tourists, earth-science students, researchers, and scientists compels to visit this area for the sake of advanced research and development work. 

Since the remote past, research has unveiled the hidden secrets of this area in the fields of physical sciences, earth sciences, etc. So far we have ignored the field of geology and particularly tourism geology, known as geotourism. This integrated field has a vast scope in our country. Consequently, we need to open geotourism departments in various universities of Pakistan. This department will attract national and international researchers to research and develop the respective areas. 

Gilgit-Baltistan has been bestowed with a unique landscape that resembles an open book of geotourism. Every student cannot different chapters of this open book. Therefore we need to help them to read and unveil the hidden secrets of supreme nature. For this purpose, we need to develop different geo sites and geo parks where we will display the hidden stories of the respective areas. There are unlimited stories of millions and billions of years that we need to unveil through research. This area welcomes all the geoscientists and scientists of other fields for the sake of research and development in various fields particularly geotourism. 

To build a huge dam, billions of dollars are required but we have been bestowed with such dams by supreme nature. Take the example of Atta Abad Lake, Hunza Valley. Ten years have passed but still, we are not taking heed towards that gift. This is a perfect geo site to construct a geopark. We can attract tourists to this place by explaining the geology, constructing hydropower plants, etc. Unfortunately, we cannot do so. 

In this way, there are other parts of Gilgit-Baltistan. In other provinces Pakistan, they need the attention of think tankers to change the concept, to build innovative ideas, and build new geotourism institutes in concerned areas.