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Return migration has become a recent trend in the mountain regions of Pakistan, primarily driven by a rise in economic opportunities. To understand the perception of return migrants about the economic opportunities available to them and to highlight the various challenges they face in the reintegration process, this study was conducted in the Hunza Valley of Gilgit-Baltistan. This study employed a mixed research approach where quantitative data were collected using field surveys from 153 return migrants while qualitative data were obtained through in-depth interviews with thirty return migrants. The study reveals that return migrants face difficulties in finding economic opportunities in their home regions due to insufficient support for new initiatives. The study highlights that return migrants possess diverse skills and untapped potential that can be utilized to revitalize the mountain economy, given appropriate support and policies. In this regard, governmental and non-governmental institutions play a crucial role in facilitating the reintegration process by offering assistance in areas such as tourism and entrepreneurship. This study recommends that by developing comprehensive reintegration policies, the government should effectively leverage the skills and potential of return migrants, thereby driving economic growth and development in rural mountain communities across Pakistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change poses a significant threat to the lives and livelihoods of the local communities in high mountain regions. This study examines the perception of climate change and its impact on the lives and livelihoods of high mountain communities in Gilgit-Baltistan. Empirical evidence was gathered through four focused group discussions and thirty in-depth interviews with the local communities in Darkut and Shishkat areas. This study found that the local communities perceive a noticeable change in temperature patterns in terms of an increase in average temperatures and shorter winters. Such changes lead to the melting of glaciers and subsequently frequent floods during summer. The communities argue that a decrease in snowfall and alterations in the timing of snowfall directly affect the region's water supply. These changes impact the region's key livelihood activities, such as livestock rearing and agriculture, leading to reduced productivity, and an increased reliance on external food sources. This study emphasizes the urgent need for community-based adaptation strategies and support for climate-resilient livelihoods in these regions. It underscores the importance of incorporating the perspectives and experiences of high mountain communities when formulating policies and strategies to address the multifaceted impacts of climate change in mountainous areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Communities in the Hindu Kush Himalayan (HKH) region of Pakistan are highly vulnerable to climate change. Capacity building of local communities is integral to adopt an evolving strategy to address adverse effects of climate change. This paper examines the significance of adaptive capacity through training and orientations and its efficacy to address climate induced hazards. Data from remittance receiving 246 households in treatment group and 247 households in control group were collected from selected villages of Districts Hunza and Nagar in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan. The difference in difference (DiD) method was used to examine the impact of the intervention—adaptation and effects. The results of the study revealed that enhanced capacity building of local communities in terms of financial literacy, investment in flood preparedness and adoption of disaster risk reduction have significant impact and corelation with improved resilient planning strategies and practices. The study recommends further actions, trainings and to governmental and non-governmental organizations to emphasize on proper utilization of remittances and to orient the mountain communities about proper plans and actions to mitigate the climate change impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainable land use is one of the emergent mountain concerns which requires immediate policy and regulatory attention. This study examines land use change and land prices at three different 5-yearly intervals: 2019, 2014 and 2009 respectively in three urbanizing districts of Gilgit-Baltistan Pakistan. Empirical evidences are gathered by using mixed-method approaches. Findings of the study suggest that households' land holdings of cultivated and uncultivated patches have declined significantly whereas, built-up area continued to rise over the years. Simultaneously, value of land in the urban centers has increased exponentially. As a result, sustainability of future economic benefits and ecosystem health becomes a major challenge for local community and policy makers. Therefore, this study recommends effective and sustainable land use planning with the emphasis on legislation, policy making, judicious and healthy use of ecosystem services and local ownership synced with customary laws and traditional knowledge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the trend of the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID‐19) pandemic in Pakistan and to explore the community perception of the socioeconomic impact of COVID‐19 pandemic in a rural mountain area of Pakistan. An online survey was conducted through snowball sampling technique and total 367 people participated in the survey. The results of the study show that COVID‐19 cases spiked amid ease of lockdown in the country and the spread of novel coronavirus pandemic has significant socioeconomic impact on the lives of mountain communities in Gilgit‐Baltistan. Financial uncertainty, decrease in income, fear of job loss, and food insecurity are some major challenges that mountain communities face due to outbreak of coronavirus in the region. The results further show that lack of community cooperation with government agencies, lack of awareness about the severity of coronavirus, and insufficient COVID‐19 testing kits are the major factors that caused the spread of coronavirus cases. This study suggests that the short‐, medium‐, and long‐term policies are required to mitigate the consequences of this pandemic and to revitalize the mountain economy of Gilgit‐Baltistan, and in this regard, this study provides baseline information for policy‐makers and practitioners to devise such demanding policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study is to examine and understand the dynamics of households' income in Hindu Kush Himalayan region in the face of changing climate and to explore the value chain development of two unique mountain products (yak and sea buckthorn) as potential strategies to increase socioeconomic resilience for enhanced adaptive capacity. The study seeks to answer that how local people perceive climate change and its impact on their household income and to what extent value chain development of mountain products prove to be a potential strategy for building climate resilience among local people? This study contributes to the existing scholarship on climate adaptation by proposing non-conventional and innovative livelihood strategies for enhancing climate resilience of local communities in four valleys of northern Pakistan. The research relies on both primary and secondary data. A field survey was carried out to collect data from 443 households using a structured questionnaire. This study shows that the mountain communities consider climate-induced natural hazards as major causes of change in households' income. To enhance the socioeconomic resilience against these climate vulnerabilities, cultivating sea buckthorn, breeding yak and developing value chains for related products has been suggested. Breeding yaks are both less labor intensive and climate resilient. Products made from yak hair and dung have the potential for high return if their value chains are established. Likewise, sea buckthorn is also considered less labor intensive and insensitive to extreme weather conditions. It could generate by-products used for food, medicine, cosmetics and construction. In order to improve socioeconomic resilience of local communities and enhance their adaptive capacity against effects of climate change, a value chain approach for yak and sea-buckthorn products has been proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current investigation was performed to explore the nutritional and functional composition of four landlines of barley denoted as LB1 (Gilgit), LB2 (Nagar), LB3 (Skardu), and LB4 (Shigar) from different regions of Gilgit‐Baltistan. The samples were examined for nutritional profile and antioxidant attributes. Total phenolic values and total flavonoid results were in the range of 1.2 to 3.1 mg/g and 0.41 to 0.55 mg/g, respectively. Nutritional profile as crude starch, fiber, protein, ash, and fat ranged from 56.3%–50.80%, 16.50%–11.73%, 16.20%–11.53%, 2.8%–2.1%, and 2.63%–1.63%, respectively. The mineral composition in terms of Mg (527–616 mg/kg) was higher in the landlines followed by Ca (312–368 mg/kg), Na (122.6–146.6 mg/kg), Fe (43.3–65.6 mg/kg), and Zn (22.5–26.6 mg/kg). It was concluded that the indigenous barley landlines had immense nutritional potential and functional attributes. Thus, it can be used for value‐added food products and the development of cottage industry in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mountain tourism has been experiencing remarkable growth in Pakistan, and the economy of mountainous regions is increasingly reliant on the tourism sector. However, the vulnerability of mountain tourism to climate change and human activities poses severe threats to its long-term sustainability, and addressing these challenges necessitates meticulous planning and immediate policy attention to effectively mitigate potential risks and secure the future of mountain tourism. This study aims to aid in formulating policies that promote sustainable mountain tourism by estimating the recreational value associated with high mountain tourism in Hunza Valley. The total recreational value is considered an indicator of the economic viability of tourism in high mountain regions. Data were collected from 1046 tourists through on-site surveys conducted during 2021–2022, and the estimation model employed a truncated negative binomial regression technique. This study reveals that the annual recreational value per person for visiting the Hunza Valley amounts to USD 126.3, resulting in a total annual recreational value of USD 22.8 million of the region. These estimations provide valuable insights to policymakers, enabling them to understand the area's economic potential better and facilitate efficient resource allocation strategies within the mountainous landscape. Furthermore, these findings offer critical guidance for informed decision-making concerning natural resource management, ensuring the conservation and preservation of the region's unique landscapes and historical sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A consortium managed project in the Upper Indus Basin of Gilgit-Baltistan , Pakistan, supported the creation of women's collective farming. The component of the project related to water resource management for agriculture was implemented in Hunza district, where in three sites, the communities encouraged women farmers to engage in the pilot interventions related to innovative water resource management technologies and improved farming practices to overcome climate-induced issues for farmers. This paper analyzes the situation of women as collective farmers and its contributions to women's agency. The study used a gender analysis framework, and data was collected through quantitative and qualitative research methodologies in the project site areas. The study's findings show that climate change has created issues more for women farmers being at the forefront in handling and tackling the impacts through various measures. It shows that collective farming and networking is an appropriate tool for women to challenge norms and stereotypes that hinder them from being part of the decision-making at various levels. Furthermore, it helps women to minimize drudgery by sharing burdens, using appropriate technology, and sharing their successes and issues while working together. Based on the findings, this study suggests that policy decisions to implement such initiatives at a more macro level will help involve women at various levels of decision-making, minimize their drudgery, expand the choices of women farmers, and overall contribute to the agency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]