Pakistan, July 14 -- The Gilgit-Baltistan Environmental Protection (GB-EPA) has recommended a five-year ban on hotel construction and expansion near three popular lakes in central Hunza. These include Attabad, Duiker, and Borit Lakes. The warned that uncontrolled development is causing serious harm to the region's ecosystem, water quality, and tourism sustainability.

The move follows a recent incident where a hotel was fined Rs1.5 million for allegedly dumping sewage into Attabad Lake. The violation gained public attention after a foreign tourist, George Buckley, posted a video showing sewage being discharged directly into the lake. The video sparked concern nationwide and led to an environmental review.

In a letter to the Hunza deputy ...