On the Roof of the World, eco-cultural tourism in Pamirs

We discovered the Pamir Mountains inTajikistan, a fantastic playground for trekking, climbing and mountaineering. Endless valleys succeed to high plateaus at 4000m high and beyond. Sharing the same roots as Iranians, Pamiris also have a deep sense of hospitality, despite inhabiting one of the poorest region of the world.

Life is harsh here and food is scarce as pastures and arable lands are insufficient for the growing population. A form of “eco-cultural” tourism – i.e. community-based tourism  encouraging the development of family homestays and interacting directly with villagers for providing goods and services (e.g. guides, donkeys, drivers) – has started to develop after the end of the civil war in 1997. This is now an alternative source of income that helps alleviate poverty and allows the visitor (or I should say guest, as Pamiris will always treat you as such) to experience unique nature immersion and authentic encounters with local people.

If better managed, the Tadjik National Park, 2.6 million ha, could do much more in terms of supporting eco-tourism activities and wildlife protection.  For instance, the Marco Polo sheep, an endangered species, is still being hunted for its majestic horns, and the money collected mostly ends up in private pockets, not contributing to any conservation measures nor improving livelihoods of those living within or near the park. And poaching of carnivores such as wolves, lynx, brown bears and snow leopards is still common practice to protect the herds.

If the political situation remains stable, it is predictable that tourism will continue to develop steadily in the Pamirs, as this region has so much to offer to adventurers souls. For those who have experienced it, the Pamiris openness and generosity will leave a mark forever. But to best honour their hospitality and get the most out of these encounters, we shall hope that tourism will develop in a sustainable manner, respectul of traditions and cultural heritage and avoiding the traps of fast-growing development models (e.g. as it happened in Laddakh, where tourists are flooding the capital in summer, disrupting the local socio-economical balance) ensuring that this new source of  income will help villagers to elevate their life conditions in the best of ways.

VB