Fragile heritage ecologies: vernacular cultures and the at-risk landscapes of the Hindu-Kush-Himalaya mountain region

Lead Research Organisation: Durham University
Department Name: Geography

Abstract

The Hindu-Kush-Himalayas (HKH) mountains stretch along northern Pakistan and are home to unique societies in terms of culture, heritage, biodiversity, environment and diverse terrain that is continuously transforming with the changing climate. They also hold the largest ice-cap outside the polar regions with >7000 glaciers mapped. These glaciers provide water for the entire country and serve as a lifeline for mountain communities providing irrigation water where rainfall in the valley floors can be as little as 200mm a year. They are also a major threat as Global Warming leads to their melting, not always in a steady retreat but creating lakes of meltwater dammed behind deposits the glaciers leave; dams that can suddenly give way leading to Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOF) which have been estimated to pose a threat to up to 7 million people as they pour down the valleys, even affecting centres of population in the south of the country. This configuration is one reason why Pakistan ranks 8th in the Global Climate Risk Index for 2019 but the alarmingly 4th most vulnerable for future climate change impacts.

The peoples of the Northern mountains have long adapted to the harshness and fragility of their environment. The area open to agriculture, already comprising small oases sustained by traditional irrigation canals fed from meltwater is now under multiple threats. The retreat of glaciers can reduce the water for irrigation, flash floods threaten infrastructure and more violent seasonal flows erode the cultivable land. The cultural heritage of the mountain communities is often ignored in favour of attention on the remarkable natural landscape and flora and fauna. With a different cultural heritage from most Pakistanis, with links across the mountains to those in other countries, they are marginalised. This project looks to record their vernacular heritage and the agro-ecological practices that it embodies.

This project uses visual story-telling as a method of narrating the 'great glacial melt' in order to engage the public and policy makers and instigate action on climate change within Pakistan and South Asia. Through visual ethnography, oral history mapping and storytelling, this project will couple scientific data (such as geological data and terrain modelling) with cultural, socio-economic practices of inhabitants to map the adaptation processes employed by mountain communities. It focuses on how heritage is conceptualised by the community - how do they explain its role in the changing landscape and how they engage and employ cultural heritage practices as means to prepare for and respond to disasters. Outputs include audio-visual stories produced by local communities that will be digitised in addition to a participatory framework for at-risk heritage documentation to better inform regional policy on sustainable development within the region. It will train local heritage practitioners to engage with communities and how they might learn from themto enhance heritage stewardship on local, regional and national level in the face of climate change impacts on remote mountain communities.

Publications

10 25 50
 
Description Thus far the project has created inventories of at risk heritage buildings object and practices and a framework for assessing what risks they face and options for conservation. It has trained local participants in producing such inventories and conducted awareness work with locals. It has informed the work of the Department of Archaeology and Museums of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province and formed the basis of a training course at the University of Gilgit Baltistan
Exploitation Route Others can adapt and use the Framework for assessing and inventorying at risk cultural heritage in different locations
Sectors Leisure Activities

including Sports

Recreation and Tourism

Culture

Heritage

Museums and Collections

URL http://fragileheritage.laajverd.org/home/
 
Description We have been invited to submit a report to the government of Pakistan which we have done "Recommendations for Research, Policy and Practice: Fragile Heritage Ecologies and Sustainable Tourism in the Mountain Areas of Pakistan' making 24 recommendations addressing (1) Heritage based strategies for promoting sustainable tourism to not only offer unique experience to visitors but also ensure the protection of natural and cultural landscapes (2) Increase heritage awareness and encourage recognition of both tangible and intangible heritages to promote inclusive and community-centered approaches to tourism (3) Authenticity of cultural heritage to be recognized and considered in any interventions and new projects developed in a locality (4) Acknowledge and include multiple stakeholders (govt. Private, NGO, universities, cultural centers, market unions, local community/ residents etc.) for inspiring solidarity and empowering marginalized communities in planning and implementation of tourism development projects.
First Year Of Impact 2021
Sector Leisure Activities, including Sports, Recreation and Tourism,Culture, Heritage, Museums and Collections
Impact Types Policy & public services

 
Description Recommendations for Research, Policy and Practice: Fragile Heritage Ecologies and Sustainable Tourism in the Mountain Areas of Pakistan
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Contribution to a national consultation/review
 
Description GCRF and Newton Consolidation Accounts Durham University
Amount £350,000 (GBP)
Funding ID EP/X527713/1 
Organisation Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 03/2022 
End 03/2023
 
Description Exhibition 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Materials and findings and web content from the project exhibited at the opening of the Pashawar Museum
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
 
Description Exploring the value of heritage for sustainable tourism in Gilgit Baltistan 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact This was a workshop held in Gilgit in February 2023 sharing findings and skills from the project with practitioners in Northern Pakistan
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description High Asia TV discussion programme 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Participation in a discussion programme billed thus:
"Sustainable mountain Architecture"
Guests: Dr Zahra Hussain, Architect and Cultural Anthropologist
Farman Ali, Senior Journalist/ Analyst
Program Host: Amir Hussain, Social Policy Analyst and Advisor
Producer :DWBaig
Climate-adaptive mountain architecture
The ecologically sensitive mountain regions and societies in Pakistan are facing many challenges. The rapid urbanization coupled with the mega communication and unplanned development projects, construction and over-emphasis on promotion of the tourism and hospitality industry, are posing a potential existential threat to the fragile and marginalised ecology and indigenous socio-cultural fabrics of the mountain areas.
The mountain landscapes of Hindi Kush, Himalayas, Karakorams are undergoing tremendous changes. The formerly hill stations and towns such as Mansehra, Gilgit, Skardu, Hunza, Chitral, Kalam, etc., continue to expand and are transforming into urban centres.
"Geographic zones on the ecological frontiers with complex and interrelated ecosystems are where the impacts of climate change are most visible. Frequent and ever-increasing events of earthquakes, glacial lake outburst floods, river erosion, landslides and changing rain patterns affect life and accessibility in mountain landscapes," says a research study conducted by Dr Zahra Hussain.
Moreover, with the development of transportation infrastructure, particularly CPEC, there has been a steady rise in country-based tourism in the past couple of years leading to slipshod development of hotels, guesthouses and tourist destinations, the report adds.
In such a scenario, the study suggests that strategic planning for the built environment in mountain areas is an important aspect to be considered and addressed in its embryonic stage before its effects are irreversible.
The situation becomes all the more alarming when the state organs, policymakers and decision-makers demonstrate sheer lack of vision, seriousness and any policy direction to address these challenges.
The abnormal changes in weather due to climate change and dwindling resources are aggravating many civic problems and warrant an alternative and climate-adaptive building structures and sustainable development policies to meet these challenges.
What alternative climate-adaptive policies and practices are needed for mountain areas? How experts, state organs and media could join hands and synergize their expertise to create awareness about climate-adaptive construction in mountain regions?
Keeping its pioneering tradition, The High Asia TV plans a series of discussions with multiple stakeholders on climate-adaptive building structures and alternative environment-friendly development concepts for mountain regions. The discussions aim at generating serious debate on the issue and offer integrated and sustainable solutions to address this important issue.
The first programme in High Asia Exclusive will feature Dr Zahra Hussain, an Architect and Cultural Geographer, who has recently done a pioneering research on the Mountain Architecture and Sustainable Development.
She will be joined by Farman Ali, a senior journalist, analyst and political commenter to discuss the issue from political and governance perspective and provide alternative solutions.
Amir Hussain, a columnist, social policy analyst and advisor will host the programme.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
URL https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1311740305954750&extid=NS-UNK-UNK-UNK-IOS_GK0T-GK1C&ref=sharing
 
Description Interview for Newspaper: Friday Times 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Media Interview around launch of policy report
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
URL https://www.thefridaytimes.com/fragile-heritage-ecologies-a-new-framework-for-mountain-preservation/
 
Description Interview on Women TV GB 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Interview with online channel
Women TV GB (Gilgit Baltistan)
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
URL https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFT8irZFaU4
 
Description Minister Tourism Raja Nasir & Dr Zahra discuss Climate Change and Heritage 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Minister Tourism and Archaeology Raja Nasir Ali Khan and Founder Dr Zahra Hussain Laaj Verd discuss Climate Change and Heritage in program Ru-Baru with Shabbir Mir at Ibex Media Network
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
URL https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0M1UMH5QoWE
 
Description Recommendations for Research, Policy and Practice Fragile Heritage Ecologies and Sustainable Tourism in the Mountain Areas of Pakistan 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Other audiences
Results and Impact Presentation at international conference
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
 
Description Training Workshop with local participants 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Study participants or study members
Results and Impact A two-day training workshop was held in Rupal Inn, Gilgit on 19-20 November by Laajverd, an Islamabad based organisation working in Gilgit Balistan and wider Hindu Kush - Himalayan regions, to discuss Mountain Architecture Guidelines for sustainable tourism development in the area.

The workshop was attended by community members and stakeholders in the tourism, education and policy sectors who were involved with Laajverd's work in remote communities in the Northern Areas. The workshop attendees expanded on the Fragile Heritage Framework (FHF) project which has been operating in the area since June 2020.

The workshop also focussed on the Mountain Architecture Guidelines for sustainable tourism development which gives guidelines about construction in the valleys. Laajverd developed the guidelines in 2020 with a focus on policy for micro to macro level of construction phases and outlined how development in the fragile mountain communities can follow existing spatial zones, respect local privacy, employ local craftsmanship and materials in addition to promoting the local economy.

The guidelines emphasise on knowledge of the local area and involvement of locals as well as the maintenance of local cultural landscapes.

On a design level, the document also mentions how interior spaces can be designed to favour the local culture and maintain traditional architectural aesthetics and ornamentation. Laajverd is proposing the Mountain Architecture Guidelines be used throughout the Northern Areas as a necessary policy for construction in the fragile heritage communities of the north, which are already subject to ill suited construction in areas like Hunza.

The Fragile Heritage Framework is a participatory program which aims to make locals aware of the fragile heritage in their communities and the threats they face due to climate change and development.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
URL https://www.thefridaytimes.com/gilgit-and-beyond-developing-the-fragile-mountain-communities/