{"id":80083,"date":"2020-01-29T05:46:44","date_gmt":"2020-01-29T05:46:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.zameen.com\/blog\/?p=80083"},"modified":"2020-02-13T06:50:39","modified_gmt":"2020-02-13T06:50:39","slug":"hunza-pakistan-first-plastic-free-district","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.zameen.com\/blog\/hunza-pakistan-first-plastic-free-district.html","title":{"rendered":"How Hunza Valley Became Pakistan\u2019s First Plastic-Free District"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In This Post
<\/strong>– The need for a plastic bag ban<\/a>
– Plastic ban in Hunza<\/a>
– Clean Hunza Project<\/a>
– Visiting Hunza<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nestled between mighty snow-covered mountains and home to sprawling green meadows, enchanting blue rivers and enormous glaciers, the picturesque Hunza Valley has always been considered one of the top tourist destinations in Pakistan. Owing to its scenic views, hospitable citizens and peaceful environment, this breathtaking valley in Gilgit Baltistan<\/a> has captured the attention of both domestic and international travellers, some of whom even dubbed it as the \u2018Switzerland of Asia.\u2019 Although the title is apt for this veritable piece of heaven on earth, Hunza Valley has also been awarded another title: the first plastic-free district of Pakistan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As we all know, non-biodegradable plastic bags are a leading cause of environmental pollution across the world, especially in South Asia, where the problem is significantly worse. If you focus on Pakistan alone, you\u2019d find that approximately 164,332 tons of plastic are dumped into the Indus River every year, making it the second most polluted river in the world. This plastic waste, which ultimately ends up in the ocean, poses a serious threat to marine life \u2013 and in turn, our entire ecosystem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Plastic can take centuries to decompose and is extremely hazardous to human health. However, despite those statistics, the production rate of single-use plastic products has soared over the past couple of years. Owing to the ever-increasing threat of global warming, several countries have introduced bans on plastic bags and other products, including Pakistan. However, the results so far have not been as satisfactory as one would hope.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, how did this narrow mountain-flanked valley in Gilgit Baltistan accomplish what most urban metropolises across the world have been struggling to do?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Well, let\u2019s read to find out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During a ceremony at Altit Fort \u2013 one of the most historic forts in Pakistan \u2013 Adviser to the PM on Climate Change Malik Amin Aslam called Hunza \u201cthe first district in Asia to be plastic-bag free\u201d and congratulated the locals for their cooperation and support in keeping the scenic valley free of plastic bags.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But before we discuss how Hunza Valley became the first plastic-free district in Pakistan, and probably even Asia, let\u2019s take a look at the reasons why using plastic bags should be banned everywhere on the planet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Need for a Ban on Plastic Bags<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"plastic
Plastic bags may be cheap and convenient to use but they cause irreparable damage to the planet<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Here are some of the most prominent reasons why plastic bags need to be banned:<\/p>\n\n\n\n