Gilgit-Baltistan Environmental Protection Agency

A meeting of the Environmental Assessment Advisory Committee (EAAC) was held on May 20th, 2026 at the office of Environmental Protection Agency, Baltistan Region . The meeting was convened under Gilgit-Baltistan Environmental Protection Act, 2014, and GB-EPA Review IEE/EIA Regulations 2024. The committee convened to seek expert advice and make decision on the construction of State-of-The-Art-Hotel Facility by KMA Sarfaranga Resorts Pvt. Ltd. at Thorgu, Shigar Road, District Skardu.
Representatives from key stakeholder departments attended the meeting, aligning with standard practices for multi-sectoral advisory input to ensure comprehensive environmental evaluation.
• Fisheries Department
• Wildlife Department
• ⁠Forest Department
• Archeology & Tourism Department
• ⁠Water Management Department
• Director GB-EPA along with EPA, Baltistan officials

Forest's, Parks, Wildlife and Environment Department Gilgit Baltistan
Information Department Gilgit-Baltistan
Ministry of Climate Change, Govt of Pakistan

The Deosai Road should not be opened prematurely under any circumstances. Until the route becomes naturally accessible after the complete melting of snow, all forms of traffic and unnecessary movement on this road should be strictly avoided. Deosai is not merely a tourist destination; it is an ecologically and geographically sensitive region that plays a vital role in regulating both the micro and macro climate of the wider area. Its peatlands and permafrost represent highly fragile yet critically important ecosystems that significantly contribute to climate regulation, water conservation, biodiversity protection, and carbon sequestration.
Opening the road before its natural time results in increased vehicle emissions, human disturbance, unnecessary camping, and other activities that release greenhouse gases into this pristine environment. Such interventions not only damage the delicate ecological balance of the region but also accelerate the impacts of climate change. Snow-covered landscapes like Deosai are naturally meant to remain inaccessible until a specific seasonal window, and this natural cycle must be respected.
For the sake of temporary recreation or convenience, we must not push such an important ecological zone toward environmental degradation. Areas like Deosai hold enormous natural capital in terms of carbon storage, water regulation, and maintaining regional climatic balance. Protecting these fragile ecosystems is a collective responsibility so that future generations may continue to benefit from their unique natural beauty and ecological significance.
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Forest's, Parks, Wildlife and Environment Department Gilgit Baltistan
Information Department Gilgit-Baltistan

On May 4, 2026, Mr. Sibtain Ahmed; Secretary Forest, Wildlife and Environment visited the Gilgit-Baltistan Environmental Protection Agency (GB-EPA) office, where he met with the staff and reviewed departmental affairs.
Mr. Khadim Hussain; Director GB-EPA and his team warmly welcomed the worthy Secretary.During the visit, the newly posted Secretary received a comprehensive briefing on the department’s functions, ongoing initiatives, and key environmental challenges.
The Secretary also toured the office premises and emphasized the importance of teamwork and collective efforts to safeguard the fragile environment of Gilgit-Baltistan. He assured his full support and commitment to strengthening environmental protection efforts in the region.
Discussions were held on the progress of ongoing projects, future programs, and key issues faced by the department, along with their possible solutions. The Secretary appreciated the dedication and hard work of the GB-EPA team and reaffirmed his support for their future endeavors.
Office of the Chief Secretary, Gilgit Baltistan
Forest's, Parks, Wildlife and Environment Department Gilgit Baltistan
Information Department Gilgit-Baltistan
Ministry of Climate Change, Govt of Pakistan
PAMIR TIMES
GMN Urdu
Shabbir Mir Shina
Daily Mountain Pass

On April 29, 2026, the Gilgit-Baltistan Environmental Protection Agency (GB-EPA) , Baltistan Region Enforcement and Monitoring Team conducted a field visit to a petrol pump currently under construction in Skardu city.
During the visit, the team thoroughly reviewed the site, assessed compliance with environmental standards, and evaluated on-site practices. The proponent was directed to strictly adhere to the provisions of the GB Environmental Protection Act 2014 and comply with the GB Industrial Regulations 2018 to ensure the protection and sustainability of the environment.



Forest's, Parks, Wildlife and Environment Department Gilgit Baltistan
Office of the Chief Secretary, Gilgit Baltistan
Information Department Gilgit-Baltistan

A meeting of the Environmental Assessment Advisory Committee (EAAC) was held on April 21, 2026, at 10:00 AM in the meeting hall of the Gilgit-Baltistan Environmental Protection Agency (GB-EPA). The meeting was convened under Gilgit-Baltistan Environmental Protection Act, 2014, and GB-EPA Review IEE/EIA Regulations 2024. The committee convened to seek expert advice and make decisions on below mentioned four projects requiring IEE review.
1. Placer Gold Mining at Jutal, Rahimabad, and Nomal M/S Paramount Mines and Minerals Pvt. Ltd
2. Placer Gold Mining at Sultanabad and Chilmis Das M/S Roshan Mines and Minerals Pvt. Ltd
3. Lead Mining at Lang Jut Area, Kargah Valley and Lead Mining at Duduro Sagar, Kargah Valley M/S Himalayan Explorers
Representatives from key stakeholder departments attended the meeting, aligning with standard practices for multi-sectoral advisory input to ensure comprehensive environmental evaluation.
• Fisheries Department
• Wildlife Department
• Planning and Development Department
• Archeology Department
• Agriculture Department
• GB-EPA officials
Forest's, Parks, Wildlife and Environment Department Gilgit Baltistan Office of the Chief Secretary, Gilgit Baltistan Information Department Gilgit-Baltistan Syed Abdul Waheed Shah Deputy Commissioner Gilgit Ibex Media Network Commissioner Gilgit Division Daily Mountain Pass Ministry of Climate Change, Govt of Pakistan GMN Urdu

سکردو: وزارتِ موسمیاتی تبدیلی (MoCC&EC)، گلگت بلتستان ماحولیاتی تحفظ ایجنسی (GB EPA) اور یونائیٹڈ نیشنز انوائرنمنٹ پروگرام (UNEP) کے اشتراک سے سکردو میں چھوٹے پیمانے پر روایتی سونے کی کان کنی (ASGM) سے متعلق قومی ایکشن پلان (NAP) کی تیاری کے لیے ایک روزہ اسٹیک ہولڈرز مشاورتی ورکشاپ منعقد ہوئی۔
ورکشاپ سے خطاب کرتے ہوئے نگران وزیر جنگلات و ماحولیات حافظ شراف الدین نے کہا کہ مقامی سطح پر گولڈ مائننگ کے دوران پارے (Mercury) کے استعمال اور اخراج سے نہ صرف مقامی سونی وال قبیلہ اور ان کی صحت بلکہ ماحول کو بھی سنگین خطرات لاحق ہیں۔ انہوں نے کہا کہ حکومتِ گلگت بلتستان اس مسئلے کے پائیدار حل کے لیے وفاقی حکومت کے ساتھ مکمل تعاون جاری رکھے گی۔ انہوں نے وزارتِ موسمیاتی تبدیلی پر زور دیا کہ آگاہی مہم کے ساتھ ساتھ اس شعبے سے وابستہ افراد کے لیے سہولیات اور محفوظ کٹس کی فراہمی بھی یقینی بنائی جائے۔
جوائنٹ سیکریٹری (انٹرنیشنل کوآپریشن) وزارتِ موسمیاتی تبدیلی، نازیہ زیب علی نے کہا کہ ASGM منصوبے کے تحت تمام اسٹیک ہولڈرز کی مشاورت سے قومی ایکشن پلان مرتب کیا جا رہا ہے، تاکہ سونے کے حصول (Gold Extraction)کے دوران پارے کے استعمال میں کمی، متبادل ٹیکنالوجیز کے فروغ اور عوامی صحت کے تحفظ کے لیے مؤثر اقدامات کیے جا سکیں۔
ورکشاپ کے دوران متعلقہ اسٹیک ہولڈرز سے مشاورت کے ذریعے قومی ایکشن پلان (NAP) کی تیاری کے لیے آراء اور تجاویز حاصل کی گئیں، تاکہ اس شعبے میں محفوظ اور پائیدار طریقۂ کار کے فروغ کے لیے جامع حکمتِ عملی مرتب کی جا سکے۔
ورکشاپ میں نگران وزیر برائے جنگلات و ماحولیات، سیکریٹری جنگلات و ماحولیات سید عبدل واحید شاہ، علی جبار ڈپٹی چیف پلاننگ اینڈ ڈویلپمنٹ ڈیپارٹمنٹ، ڈائریکٹر مائنز اینڈ منرلز، ڈائریکٹر پاپولیشن ویلفیئر ڈیپارٹمنٹ،،جوائنٹ سیکریٹری (انٹرنیشنل کوآپریشن) MoCC&EC، اعلیٰ سرکاری افسران اور دیگر متعلقہ اسٹیک ہولڈرز نے شرکت کی۔ اختتام پر شرکاء میں اسناد بھی تقسیم کی گئیں۔
Office of the Chief Secretary, Gilgit Baltistan
Forest's, Parks, Wildlife and Environment Department Gilgit Baltistan
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Syed Abdul Waheed Shah
Daily Mountain Pass
Shabbir Mir Shina
PAMIR TIMES
Ministry of Climate Change, Govt of Pakistan
UN Environment Programme

GMN Urdu