By: Malik Bilal
Pakistan stands at a critical crossroads where its natural heritage and vulnerable rural communities face unprecedented challenges. Accelerating biodiversity loss, climate change and socio-economic marginalization have placed immense pressure on the country’s ecologically rich but historically underserved regions such as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the newly merged districts. Against this backdrop, ecotourism emerges not just as a development strategy but as a vital lifeline, offering a pathway to safeguarding biodiversity and uplifting rural livelihoods.
The merger of FATA into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in 2018 marked a historic governance transition, yet it also exposed significant policy and institutional gaps. These areas have long suffered from underdevelopment, insecurity and limited access to public services. The opportunity to integrate these districts into provincial and national conservation and tourism frameworks has only recently begun to take shape. A clearer understanding of this context is essential when considering the future of ecotourism and natural resource management in the region.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is blessed with a stunning variety of landscapes, from the alpine meadows of Swat, Kohistan and Dir to the high-altitude rangelands of Chitral and the subtropical forests of South Waziristan. These ecosystems support diverse wildlife, including emblematic species such as the snow leopard, Kashmir markhor, Himalayan Ibex, Himalayan lynx and golden eagle, many of which are endangered or vulnerable. Yet, rapid deforestation, illegal hunting, and expanding development threaten to erase these treasures. Without urgent, targeted conservation efforts, the region’s natural wealth risks permanent degradation.
Pakistan has made commendable progress in recent years. The Billion Tree Tsunami initiative launched in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in 2014 and its expansion into the Ten Billion Tree Tsunami Programme nationally reflects a proactive approach to tackling environmental degradation. Alongside these efforts, ecotourism has quietly grown into an effective means of linking conservation with community well-being. This approach goes beyond tourism as mere recreation. It prioritizes local participation, biodiversity protection, environmental education and respect for cultural heritage. When managed responsibly, ecotourism helps prevent over-tourism, reduces human-wildlife conflicts and fosters community stewardship over natural resources.
The district of Chitral exemplifies this model. Known for its ecological splendor and resilient indigenous communities, Chitral hosts the Chitral Gol National Park and a network of community-managed conservancies. Over the past two decades, organizations such as the Chitral Gol Community Development and Conservation Association have successfully reduced poaching, patrolled protected areas and developed infrastructure supporting nature-based tourism. The integration of Indigenous Community Conserved Areas in the region combines traditional stewardship with scientific conservation methods, creating a sustainable framework for both people and wildlife. The Wildlife department of KPK has further integrated their efforts to enhance the impact by commencing trophy hunting of Himalayan Ibex for local and national hunters in Upper and lower Chitral districts, aiming to generate community incentives and reinforce wildlife protection. Under transparent governance, these programs channel the majority of proceeds towards community services such as education and sanitation, aligning economic incentives with wildlife protection. Nonetheless, this approach remains controversial and demands strict ecological and ethical oversight.
The Kalash valleys offer another inspiring example where heritage tourism supported by UNESCO and local NGOs has revived endangered languages, customs and artisanal crafts alongside forest and wildlife conservation. However, even these successes face mounting threats. Climate change has altered snowfall patterns, stressed alpine vegetation, and disrupted wildlife corridors. Meanwhile, funding constraints jeopardize ongoing conservation and tourism efforts. Notably, while the global population of the Kashmir markhor remains under 6,000 mature individuals, Pakistan has seen a positive trend, with numbers increasing over the past decade to an estimated 3,500 to 5,000, attributed to proactive conservation programs and community engagement. This underscores the critical need for sustained resources to maintain and enhance these conservation successes.
Beyond Chitral, the merged districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including Kurram, Orakzai, and South Waziristan, hold untapped ecotourism potential. Once inaccessible due to security concerns, these regions are cautiously opening up. Government-led initiatives have introduced glamping pods, trekking routes and cultural heritage trails. However, the absence of integrated tourism policies, comprehensive biodiversity assessments, trained personnel and legal frameworks hampers effective management. Without these foundational elements, ecotourism risks becoming extractive rather than regenerative, further harming the environment and communities.
Pakistan can draw valuable lessons from global exemplars of community-led ecotourism. Kenya’s Maasai Mara community conservancies lease land to eco-lodges under equitable contracts, ensuring steady income and wildlife conservation. Belize’s Community Baboon Sanctuary thrives on village cooperation, protecting habitats in exchange for shared tourism benefits. Tanzania’s Chumbe Island Marine Park funds reef conservation and education through low-impact ecotourism revenue. These models highlight the indispensable role of community participation, long-term government commitment and robust environmental accountability.
Domestic institutions such as the Tourism Corporation Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation, and the Ministry of Climate Change must play central roles in policy integration and implementation. Furthermore, sustained collaboration with international organizations including WWF, FAO, UNESCO, UNDP, UNEP, IUCN, GIZ and the World Bank as well as bilateral donors, research institutions, academia, civil society and the private sector is critical. Their combined expertise, financial resources and policy guidance can help transform grassroots conservation initiatives into scalable, nationally integrated models of sustainable development.
Ecotourism should not be seen merely as an economic opportunity but as a crucial tool to conserve Pakistan’s natural heritage and support its rural communities amid growing environmental and social pressures. With strategic planning, inclusive governance and broad-based cooperation, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and its merged districts can become a beacon of sustainable development, securing a thriving future for both people and wildlife.
About the Author: Malik Bilal is a seasoned development professional with expertise in emergency response, recovery and governance in conflict-affected areas of Pakistan. He has worked with UN agencies and international organizations to strengthen community resilience, support institutional reforms and lead strategic program implementation. Malikbilal1983@gmail.com
