Herald Report   The worldwide spread of coronavirus that has devastated the global economy has also hit hard the tourism and hospitality industry with major tourist destinations seeing limited visitors while several airlines have suspended or limited their operations. The World Tourism Organisation of the United Nations, (UNWTO) in response to the worldwide COVID-19 outbreak, has cancelled immediately, all its …

by Fatehul Mulk Ali Nasir   Prior to Aman-ul-Mulk’s ascension to the throne of Chitral in 1858 the fortunes of this deep valley set amongst the heights of the Hindu Kush were very different. Chitral has long had a tradition of kingship, and indeed the early signs of nationhood, since at least the days of the Chinese Book of Tang, …

The key water-related issues faced by Pakistan are that of mismanagement and population growth more than water scarcity itself, argues Amir Hussain in his latest column published in The News. He suggests a strong network of researchers, policymakers, and communities in the Indus Basin region to mitigate the risks posed by climate change to the ecosystem.     by Amir Hussain …

File photo of the confluence of Khurdopin and Yokshin Glacier and blockade of Verjherav glacio-fluvial stream. Credit: MIMCP HAH Report Assessing and monitoring hazards as well as surveying the damage and collecting data during emergencies in hard-to-reach mountain areas poses many difficulties. At higher altitudes, satellite data does not come in high enough resolution to create accurate hazard maps, and …

High Asia Herald Report There are certain food taboos in some Asian and African communities and tribes that are prohibited for women. Especially pregnant women are prohibited from taking in essential food and drinks. It is transferred from generation to generation and has a negative effect on pregnant mothers’ health.  In Ethiopia’s eastern district pregnant women avoid linseed, coffee, tea, …

High Asia offers a great prospect for building a safer world for billions of people and needs trans-boundary solutions engaging India, Pakistan, Afghanistan China, Nepal, and the Central Asian States by declaring the region an ecological state and its population as ecology citizens, writes Amir Hussain.  Five hundred years ago, in the days of big empires, one would look like a …

  by Gul Nayab Shah   Protesters end sit-in at Yasin on Monday after negotiations with the district administration. High officials from the Ghizer District administration, water and power department and police assured uninterrupted and high voltage power supply to the people and steps for ending loadshedding in Yasin. The representatives met district administration officials, including the deputy commissioner, power …

By Gul Hamaad Farooqi CHITRAL: Reshman has a dream. She wants to be the first girl from Kalash Valley of Chitral to become a television newscaster wearing her traditional Kalasha dress. “It is my childhood dream to appear on TV and read news about my valley and the world,” says Reshman, from Anish village of Kalash Valley. Despite the fact …

Kailasha men and women dance on the concluding day of Chomos festival. Photo: Gul Hammad Kalash annual festival concludes with a spectacular display of Kailash valley culture, rituals By Gul Hamaad Farooqi CHITRAL: The annual Chomos festival concluded after display of the spectacular and unique colours of the Kailash tribe last week. A large number of tourists from all over Pakistan …

Researchers have ranked the world’s most important, most threatened mountain water towers, provide new insight on mountain glacier–derived water resource systems, impacting up to 1.9 billion people globally