Climate change takes a heavy toll on tourism industry in Pakistan

As the country witnessed its hottest months in years, with temperatures up to nine degrees Celsius above normal, the heatwave affected Lahore’s tourism industry, as foreign visitors prefer to travel north in search of cooler weather. Unusually, Babusar, Deosai, and Khunjerab passes are among the most transited this time of the year.

“It used to be unheard of for Khunjerab Pass to be open this time of the year. But due to global warming, the tourist season for the northern areas is starting sooner. Meanwhile, I only have a single tourist query for Lahore for the summer”, tour guide Adil Lahorei commented.

For many years Lahore’s rich history has drawn many international tourists, especially at the end of the last decade, despite security problems across the country. But after the Covid-19 pandemic struck, Pakistan’s second-largest city was hit by crisis.

Moreover, the pandemic was also a climate wake-up call for the destination, as the residents enjoyed clear skies during lockdowns in contrast with the usual November and December extreme pollution here.

“In case anyone wants to look at harmful impacts of climate change and environmental degradation, Lahore is an excellent example,” declared Tauqeer Qureshi, former director of Punjab’s Environmental Protection Department, while highlighting that the political failure to implement new environmental regulations will only lead to further environment and tourism related problems.

At the same time, as environmentalist Saima Baig explained, Lahore’s clean air is constantly threatened by industrial emissions, crops burning, brick kilns and high amounts of waste.

“All of these can be reversed with good environmental policies that fine industries for emissions, work with farmers to stop them from burning fields and find alternatives, and a more efficient and effective waste management policy.

“Vehicle maintenance and promoting electric vehicles should be part of the country’s overall climate policy. While solar energy is being promoted now, it is essential to look into other renewable technologies like wind energy and even wave energy [to address climate change]”, Baig commented.

The only chance for city’s tourism sector to bounce back would be a sustained green revolution.

“[…] the urban planning in Lahore continues to be carried out as if to deliberately aggravate the impacts of global warming. They’re replacing the green countryside with more and more cement. I feel embarrassed every time I tell my guests, ‘Welcome to the City of Gardens’.

“Everyone Pakistani should plant a tree. The country needs a green revolution. Tourism, or anything in the country for that matter, will not prosper if we don’t get our priorities straight”, tourism development expert Ashfaq Khan concluded.

 

Source: aljazeera.com