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Ecovillege

Ecovillage

Hussainabad Broq is first of its kind of Gilgit Baltistan and most probably in Pakistan where initiatives have been taken towards its management and conservation as an ecovillage under the project “Improvement of Central Karakoram National Park Management System as Model for Mountain Ecosystems in Northern Pakistan”

The village is called Broq means pasture in Balti language as it used to be the pasture of Hussainabad village that lies along the main road to Shiger, Ghanche and Kharmang. The Broq is almost 9 kilometers away from Skardu town. Thus, the geographic location of Broq is both an opportunity as well as a threat with an expected influx of tourists in the near future particularly if it goes unmanaged.The village is dependent mostly on agriculture, horticulture and livestock. The total number of households is 35 and the population is almost 350 persons. There is a government primary school offering coeducation to boys and girls. 

The village is dependent mostly on agriculture, horticulture and livestock. The total number of households is 35 and the population is almost 350 persons. There is a government primary school offering coeducation to boys and girls. Department of health has also setup a dispensary with the services of a dispenser and also providing basic medicines. There are 11 treks of one to three days to different valleys of Baltistan including Sadpara, Shela, Katisho, Gol, Duro, Thorgu, Gamultor and also to Deosai National Park. Historically, Skardu was invaded by Lakhpat Singh in 1841 from Kashmir.

Currently there is no any hotel facility for tourists visiting the village. It is feared that if the tourism is not managed in an effective and integrated manner it may cause a huge damage to local culture and environment. At the same time, if the tourism is managed as per the spirit of ecotourism, it will be a great opportunity for the local communities to have better earning opportunities.

An integrated approach is adopted in the conservation and management of Hussainabad Broq as an Ecovillage.  Following features are developed towards transformation process:

Verbal History narrated by famous Balti Historian Yusuf Hussain Abadi.

 

Features of the Ecovillage:

Restoration of old buildings offering accommodation to tourists.

Establishment of Community Center.

Establishment of Cultural Display Center.

Demarcation of track to Masoor Rock.

Construction of three wooden gazebos along the track to Masoor

Training of youth as professional guides and rock climbing.

Entrepreneurial training for men and women on Agriculture, Horticulture and Poultry.

Training on fostering organic practices.

The purpose of adopting a multifaceted approach is to integrate all services in Sultanabad Broq to execute community-based tourism also ensuring to create income generation opportunities for all segments of life in the village. The women, men and youth will be engaged in the best feasible manner to render their services as per their capacity.