Baltistan & Hunza - Conservation and Development Projects

2Baltit Fort looks out over the HunzaValley and the upper Karimabad village.C O N S E R VA T I O N A N DD E V E L O P M E N T P R O J E C T SREL ATE D PROJ ECTS :In the Hunza Valley, the Aga KhanDevelopment Network (AKDN) hasimplemented or supported a varietyof community-based projects. Theseinclude the restoration and re-use ofBaltit Fort; rehabilitation of the historicvillages of Karimabad, Ganishand Altit; construction and runningof schools, including a higher secondaryschool for girls; branches of theFirst MicroFinance Bank; health units;safe water and sanitation projects forgreater Karimabad, Ganish, Altit andother communities; support for theKarimabad Town Management Societyand other organisations dedicated tosustainable development; mini-hydroelectricplants that supply electricityin remote villages; tourism facilitiesincluding the Baltit Inn and Gilgit SerenaInn; income-generating activitiesand savings programmes; and kilometresof new or repaired irrigationcanals, bridges and other infrastructure.In addition, AKDN institutionshave planted over 10 million treesand brought 33,000 new hectares ofagricultural land under cultivation inGilgit.When it began working in the Northern Areas of Pakistan, in 1992, the AgaKhan Trust for Culture’s restoration and revitalisation activities became themost visible part of a broad area development programme undertaken by agenciesof the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN). Encompassing cultural,economic and social development, the programme included microfinance, agriculturalprogrammes, health, education, the introduction of clean-water suppliesand sanitation facilities, construction of mini hydro-electric plants, theimprovement of public open spaces, community-driven village rehabilitationand house renovation.Baltit Fort, the Trust’s first project (undertaken by the Historic Cities SupportProgramme), was completed in 1996. The Hunza Valley settlements of Karimabadand Ganish, and projects in Baltistan, were completed in subsequentyears. While the Trust provided the technical expertise, much of the labourand material was provided by the communities themselves. In addition to restorationefforts, the Trust also focused on reviving traditional skills, generatingnew employment opportunities and providing training in the jobs needed for achanging economy.To sustain improvements in the quality of life brought about by these projects,Town Management Societies were charged with defining future strategies andcreating local institutions capable of operating and maintaining restored landmarkbuildings and settlements. New local NGOs have also been groomed torevive and market traditional local crafts, such as weaving, embroidery, woodcarvingor gemstone production.Local communities have regained interest and pride in their local heritage. Traditionalhousing that had been at risk of being abandoned has been restored, upgradedand reoccupied. In the process, residents have shown that maintaininglocal building traditions can go hand in hand with improved living standards.This lesson has not been lost on other communities. The rehabilitation movementhas now spread to other parts of the Northern Areas, and many historicvillages, such as Altit, Shigar and Khaplu, have been or are being upgraded withassistance from the Aga Khan Trust for Culture.