High Altitude Sustainability - Pakistan

Mission
To form a voluntary multi-sector alliance of stakeholders and individual members dedicated to developing initiatives supporting the sustainable development of technical tourism in Gilgit-Baltistan. Vision
Creating an effective support system to engender better welfare for porters through:
• Livelihood, quality of life and welfare support.
• Facilitation of communication and exchange with o

ther stakeholders for inclusive initiatives. Creating a knowledge base for sustainable tourism management through cross-sector collaboration in the technical tourism industry in Gilgit-Baltistan.
• Develop multi-sector dialogue and action on specific issues.
• Production of research and communication materials. Awareness and advocacy around social and environment threats and opportunities through
• Volunteering initiatives for students.
• Exhibitions.
• Events. To carry out comprehensive research on adequate support systems for porter welfare in the Gilgit-Baltistan region.

2. To carryout and facilitate research in the disciplines of human rights and health and safety in the technical tourism industry in Gilgit-Baltistan.

3. The creation and implementation of an Endowment Fund for the purpose of:
a. Providing financial support in case of accidental death to the family of the deceased to augment current insufficient insurance policies available to porters. Provision of medical coverage/support in case of illness or injury sustained while supporting treks or expeditions. Equipment and training support for promising climbers from particularly disadvantaged backgrounds.

4. To organize, impart, evaluate training and workshops for porters in partnership with local porter welfare NGOs incorporating international best practices and capacity building.

5. To raise awareness on the environmental footprint of trekking and mountaineering in the northern areas of Pakistan and the systems in place to manage the impact.

6. To carry out comprehensive research on adequate systems for sustainable management of the environmental and social impact of trekking and mountaineering in the Gilgit-Baltistan region.

7. To design and facilitate cross-sector partnership initiatives to tackle the deterioration of the environment and replication of effort in the protection of the Central Karakorum National Park (CKNP), the Baltoro Glacier and various frequented basecamps.

8. Ensure the participation and input of local stakeholders on improved solutions for sustainable trekking and mountaineering in Gilgit-Baltistan.

9. To make documentaries in order to create awareness in the general population regarding the general living conditions of the portering community and environmental issues linked to sustainable tourism.

10. To liaise with national and international networks, research agencies and training imparters with respect to encouraging sustainable tourism in Gilgit-Baltistan.