Welcome to the Landscape of Northern Pakistan

Discover the Natural Wonders and Cultural Heritage with NESS-Pak – KIU Eco-Tourism Support Center (NKESC)

The National Eco-Security System Pakistan (NESS-Pak) and Karakoram International University (KIU), Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) welcome you to the Landscape of Northrn Pakistan to discover the Natural Wonders and Heritage.

Brief Overview:

Welcome to the enchanting landscapes of Northern Pakistan, where nature’s beauty meets rich cultural heritage. This region, nestled in the mighty Himalayas and Karakoram ranges, is a treasure trove of biodiversity, boasting some of the world’s most pristine national parks and protected areas. From the majestic snow leopards of Khunjerab National Park to the vibrant alpine meadows of Deosai.

The NESS-Pak – KIU Eco-Tourism Support Center (NKESC)

The NESS-Pak – KIU Eco-Tourism Support Center (NKESC) will be established at Karakoram International University, Gilgit, under the supervision of a Joint Management Committee (JMC). NESS-Pak will leverage its network of partner organisations in the public and private sectors to provide technical support in areas such as eco-tourism, biorisk management, Chinese language, hotel management, renewal energy applications and livelihood security for indigenous communities.

KIU will support NKESC through the part-time engagement of faculty members, postgraduate students, and the provision of essential infrastructure. Development projects will be initiated through the Government of
Gilgit-Baltistan/Federal PSDP, HEC, PSF, or other donors in the public and private sectors to meet NKESC’s requirements. The sustainability of operations will be ensured through an Endowment Fund (EF). Shares of the Endowment Fund (NKESC-EF) will be sold to interested investors/companies in the private and public sectors and they will be provided business facilitation desks. The JMC will be authorised to generate and allocate these funds for feasible and viable activities that align with NKESC’s objectives under a regulatory framework approved by the JMC.

National Parks:

The Parks and Wildlife circle functions under the Forest’s, Park’s, Wildlife and Environment Department of the Government of Gilgit-Baltistan. The circle is the line department which maintains custodian and management mandate for conservation of wildlife and its habitat to improve economic benefits locally, while improving ecological services globally. The aim is to focus on conservation of wildlife and habitat, in close collaboration with local communities, NGO’s, other concerned departments, and ministries.  The department provides its legal, technical, and fianncial support to community-based institutions and other key partners for conducting research, conservation and sustainable management activities on the basis of availability of natural resources in the vicinity. The Parks and Wildlife circle, with the help of its key partner organizations, has successfully initiated and conducted trophy hunting programs in Gilgit-Baltistan, utilizing the revenue for the betterment of the local communities.

Khunjerab national park or KNP

Khunjerab national park or KNP (34*44’N-75*17’E) is located in Hunza district. It was established in 1975. It covers an area of 226,913 hectares. The primary purpose of setting up of this park was to provide protection to the endangered Marco polo sheep, which is only found in this area in Pakistan. The park is also famous for its Snow Leopards.

Mammals: Tibetan wolf, Himalayan ibex, Tibetan red fox, Golden marmots, Himalayan Brown Bear, Snow Leopard, Stone Martin, Marco Polo Sheep, Cape Hare

Birds: Lammegier vulture, Golden Eagle, Himalayan griffon vulture, Eurasian black, vulture, Marsh harrier, Eurasian sparrow hawk, Eurasian kestrel, Lesser kestrel, Saker falcon, Peregrine falcon, Himalayan Snow cock, Snow partridge, Chukar, Grey heron, Common sandpiper, Hill pigeon, Snow pigeon, Northern eagle owl, Eurasian cuckoo, Common swallow, Magpie, Alpine cough, Raven

Plants: Artemisia spp, Juniperus excelsa, Rosa webbiana, Myricaria germanica,Hippophae rhamnoides, Populus nepalensis, Salix spp, Betula utilis

Deosai National Park

Deosai National Park (35,018930N, 75.414393E) is located in south east of Skardu. It covers an area of 3,58,400 hectares. Deosai National Park is located where two biogeographical provinces merge, in the Himalayan and Karakorum-Pamir highlands. It was designated as a national park in 1993 with the primary objective of protection and conservation of the Himalayan Brown Bear (Ursus arctos Isabellinus).

Mammals: Tibetan wolf, Himalayan ibex, Tibetan red fox, Golden marmots, Himalayan Brown Bear, Snow Leopard, Stone Martin, Altai Mountain Weasel.

Birds: Golden eagle, Lammergeier, Himalayan Griffon vulture, Laggar falcon, Peregrine falcon, Eurasian kestrel, Eurasian sparrowhawk, Chakur partridge, Snowcock

Plants: Artemisia maritima, Polygonum affine, Thalictrum alpinum, Bromus oxyodon, Saxifraga flagellaris, Androsace mucronifolia, Aster flaccidus, Barbarea vulgaris, Artemisia maritima, Agropyron longearistatum, Nepeta connate, Carex cruenta, Ranaculyus laetus, Arenaria neelgerrensis, Astrogalus leucophylla, Polygonum amplexinade, Echinop nivetus, Seria chrysanthenoides, Artemisia maritima, Dracocephalum nutsus, Anapalas contorta, Chrysopogon echinulatus and Dianthus crinitus

Quramber National Park

The Qurambar valley (36°45’N, 74°45’E) is situated in the extreme north-western reaches of Gilgit Baltistan falls in the western Tibetan Plateau, Alpine Steppe Eco region of Pakistan. It was established in 2011and covers an area 73800 hectares

Mammals: Indian grey wolf, Himalayan ibex, Himalayan lynx, Himalayan Brown Bear, Snow Leopard, Stone Martin,Pallas’s cat, Cape Hare

Birds: Booted Eagle, Eurasian Sparrow Hawk, Golden eagle, Himalayan Griffon vulture, Bearded Vulture, Common Kestrel, Peregrine falcon, Chukar partridge, Snow cock, Northern Hobby

Plants: Juniper, Blue pine, Birch, Willow, Artemisia, Ephedra, Wild rose, Barbaris, Potentilla

Other National Parks in GB

  • Hundrap National Park
  • Himalaya National Park
  • Nanga Parbat National Park
  • Central Karakoram National Park
  • Handrup National Park

Plan Your Visit

  • Accommodation
  • Local Guides and Services
  • Call to Action
  • Get Involved: Book Your Adventure, Join the Community 
  • Gallery
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Further information:

NESS-Pak Home 

Title Picture: Plantation Day at KIU Campus Hunza

Contact Information:

  • NESS-Pak KIU Eco-Tourism Support Center (NKESC), Karakoram International University , Gilgit-Baltistan; Email: oric@kiu.edu.pk, drmsqureshi@dairysciencepark.org; WhatsApp: +923005877933; +92 313 9793088

The Expert Team

The National Parks

Khunjerab National Park

 

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