altistan, surrounded by huge mountains, has always been seen as a paradise for adventure and nature lovers. Skardu, the capital city of Baltistan, is at the centre of it all, with beautiful, pristine views. However, the rapid increase in tourism, sometimes called hyper tourism, has brought problems to this once-peaceful place. The number of vehicles has overwhelmed the city’s weak roads and services, causing issues for local people. Since Air Blue started flying to the city two years ago, Skardu gets more than four flights a day, each full of passengers.

Many tourist spots surround Skardu. Deosai is to the south, and the Indus River flows to the north, offering amazing views of the surrounding mountains. The unique Kharpocho Fort is also located here. Kachura Lake and the famous Shangrila Resort are to the west. Shigar Valley, with its beauty and charm, is in the east of the city. Because of this, most tourists choose to stay in the city, which makes it easy for them to visit all these places. Unfortunately, this ease of access also doubles the city’s traffic problems and is one of the most obvious effects of the hyper tourism in the area.

The city roads are mostly narrow and can barely handle the local traffic, let alone the large number of vehicles coming in these days. Long lines of cars, tour buses and motorbikes move very slowly, almost bumper to bumper, turning regular trips into frustrating experiences. Even simple tasks take so much time that some locals have stopped going out during the day to save time and effort.

A lack of regulation has made the problem worse. There are few traffic officers around, and they are not very effective, making it impossible to manage the heavy traffic on the narrow roads. Parking is also a mess, with cars often blocking narrow streets and driveways. It seems like there are no rules, leading to chaos where the strongest take control.

Locals are clearly frustrated as their daily commutes take longer, businesses are struggling and the city’s peaceful charm is disrupted by noise and pollution. The constant honking of horns is especially annoying. The city’s delicate ecosystem is also suffering because the heavy traffic creates dust pollution, affecting the health of residents. People who are allergic to dust have to stay indoors.

Most of the roads in the city are already in bad shape and the overload of vehicles is putting extra strain on the neglected infrastructure, which is easily damaged. This creates a never-ending cycle of maintenance problems.

Sustainable solutions for a better future:

To make sure that tourism is a blessing rather than a problem, a detailed plan is needed to improve the situation. Strict and fair enforcement of traffic rules is essential. Officers should be given proper training and authority to manage the traffic effectively.

Hiring enough traffic officers for all areas could improve rule enforcement. Local officers often hesitate to penalise people they know. Some powerful individuals with large vehicles ignore their directions, making traffic control difficult. Bringing in officers from outside the region might help ensure fair enforcement and reduce the influence of local relationships and power dynamics.

No one should be allowed to drive without a driving licence. Currently, many underage boys drive recklessly on the roads, adding to the chaos.

Creating alternative routes, bypass roads and specific times for big vehicles is necessary to reduce the traffic jams. Parking can be managed by setting up specific areas near the city for parking. The tourists should not be allowed to park on the main roads.

Tourists should also be informed at the city’s entrance, by road or by air, about the delicate state of the region’s infrastructure and environment, as well as the consequences of not following the rules. Educating tourists about responsible parking, respecting local customs and reducing their environmental impact can help solve the problem.

Finally, CCTV cameras should be installed throughout the city to monitor traffic through a control room. We live in the age of technology, and not using it would be a mistake.

It is possible to balance the economic benefits of tourism with the protection of the city’s residents. If we keep this beautiful area unspoiled and pristine, we will continue to attract visitors and enhance their experiences. Otherwise, there is always a risk of losing its charm.

The writer is a media student and deputy controller at the University of Baltistan