A Quarterly Newsletter of Sustainable Tourism Foundation

STFP POST July - September 2018

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STFP Post is the quarterly newsletter of Sustainable Tourism Foundation Pakistan. It is published to inform our members, partners, supporters, donors and all other stakeholders of tourism industry about the activities, progrmmes and achievements of STFP. The main aim of STFP is to create awareness about Ecotourism, Responsible Tourism and Sustainable Tourism in Pakistan and to facilitate the exchange of knowledge, experiences and ideas about the best practices of sustainable tourism among the stakeholders of Pakistan’s tourism industry.

Contents  Let’s Green Our Summer Vacations 1-2

 STFP Participation in International

Conference –Meet Pakistan 2  Conference on AJK Tourism 2  Indus Dolphin Rescue Operation 2-3

 Green Pakistan Campaign Launching

Event at National park

3- 4

 Mini Eco Margalla Eco Marathon 4-5

 Nature Study Camp for Children at CAMPAIGN FOR GREENING SUMMER VOCATIONS LAUNCHED BY STFP

STFP has launched a special campaign “ 4. Take Care of Fires: Portable fuel stoves Maragalla National Park 5 Green Your Summer Vocation” to motive are less harmful to the environment and are more efficient than fires. If you do use a fire, visitors to mountain areas to adopt best  Pakistan Tourism Summit and keep it small, use only dead wood and make International Tourism Expo at Karachi practices of responsible travel and minimizing sure it is out by dousing it with water and 6 their negative impacts on the fragile natural checking the ashes before leaving.

 7th Global Summit on Urban Tourism environment of these areas. For this purpose 5. Camp Carefully: When camping. Leave and International Fair & Sustainable 10 simple tips on how to be an Eco-friendly no trace of your visit. Tourism Forum 2018 at Seoul, South Tourist was developed by STFP and promoted 6. Keep to the Track: By keeping to the Korea 6 through its website and social media page. track, where one exists, you lessen the chance of damaging fragile plants. Following 10 tips were promoted to encourage  World Tourism Day 7 7. Consider others: People visit nature visitors to “step gently” in the fragile  AJK Tourism Policy 7 areas for many reasons. Be considerate of environment and make their visit other visitors who also have a right to enjoy  STFP’s Green Pakistan Clean environmentally friendly:- the natural environment. Respect local ’ Pakistan Campaign 7-9 1. Don’t Litter: Litter is unattractive, harmful to customs in your dress and behavior. Do not play loud music and respect the quietness of people and wildlife. Plan your visit to reduce  World Tourism day 2018 10 nature. rubbish, and carry out what you carry in. 2.Keep Streams and Lakes clean: When 8. Respect Our Cultural Heritage: If you pass by any site of historical and spiritual cleaning or washing take the water and wash significance, treat these places with well away from the water source. consideration and respect. 3. Bury Toilet Waste: In areas without toilet Continue to page 2……… facilities, bury your toilet waste in a shallow hole well away from waterways, tracks, campsites and lodges.

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STFP PARTICIPATION IN INTERNATIONAL INDUS DOLPHIN RESCUE TEAM CONDUCTED A CONFERENCE: MEET PAKISTAN SUCCESSFUL RESCUE OPERATION AT TAUNSA Pakistan US Alumni Network (PUAN) organized its annual BARRAGE conference at Serena Hotel from 15 to 16 July 2018. th On 5 August 2018, Indus Dolphin Recuse Team at On this occasion the organizing committee also invited Aftab Taunsa Barrage conducted a successful rescue of a Rana, President of STFP as Guest Speaker to participate in their young female Indus River Dolphin in the downstream area International Conference: Meet Pakistan through Art, Culture and of Taunsa Barrage in South Punjab.

Society. As per reports, Javed Iqbal, coordinator of Indus Dolphin Rescues Team at Taunsa Barrage received the news of entangling of a young dolphin in one of the fishing hooks placed in the river by local fisherman. He immediately informed the other team members and they reached at the site with their rescue operation kit and started the rescue operation. After an effort of half an hour they successfully rescued the young dolphin and released it in the main flow of Indus River. It was a young female dolphin having a body length of 3 feet and 4 inches. The rescue team was comprised on Javed Iqbal, Sajjad Hussain and Inamullah. This Indus Dolphin Rescue team was established by Sustainable Tourism Foundation Pakistan in 2015 under its Indus Dolphin Ecotourism Enterprise Project with the support of Small Grants Program of USAID. Local CBO, Indus Welfare Foundation, Punjab/Sindh Wildlife Departments and WWF Pakistan were engaged in the training of this dolphin rescue team of local fishermen Mr. Rana spoke about the topic of Exploring Tourism community. This was the third successful rescue operation of Indus River Dolphin completed by this team during the Opportunities in Pakistan. Larger number of young members of last three years. PUAN and people from different walks of life participated in this event. On this occasion STFP also put up a stall of its Indus Indus River dolphin is one of the most threatened fresh water dolphins in the world. Its total population in the River Dolphin Ecotourism Project. Indus is less 1500. It is listed as “Endangered” by the World Conservation Union (IUCN).

…..Continue from page 1 9. Protect Plants and Animals: Treat forests, animals and birds with care and respect. They are unique and rare. Do not damage, disturb or remove any plants or animals. Do not purchase animal parts and products. 10. Enjoy your Visit: Enjoy your outdoor experience. Take a last look before leaving an area; will the next visitor know that you have been there? Protect the environment for your own sake, for the sake of those who come after you and for the environment itself. In short, “Take nothing but good memories...Leave nothing but carefully placed footprints."

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GREEN PAKISTAN CAMPAIGN LAUNCHING EVENT

AT MARGALLA HILLS NATIONAL PARK Margalla Hills National Park is main tourist attraction of capital city of Islamabad and daily thousands of people The newly formed Government of Pakistan has set a target of visit this national park. planting 10 Billion trees in five years under Prime Minister Imran Internationally renowned conservationist and writer Prof nd Khan’s Green Pakistan Program. On 2 September, campaign’s ZB Mirza was guest on honor on this occasion. He kick off events were held all over the country and more than 2 highlighted the importance of the Margalla Hills National million saplings of trees have been planted in one day. Sustainable Tourism Foundation Pakistan joined hands to support this noble Park and planting trees to meet the challenge of climate change and global warming. Aftab Rana, President of mission and organized a family tree plantation event at Trail-5 area of Margalla Hills National Park in collaboration with Islamabad STFP and Chief Coordinator of Mission Green Pakistan, Wildlife Management Board and Himalaya Wildlife Foundation. briefed the participants about the objectives and plans of

the tree plantation drive. Continue to page 4…….

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MINI MARGALLA ECO MARATHON Continue from page 3….. He said that it was very timely decision of Prime Minister Imran Khan to involve the general Margallah Hills National Park carries great significance for public in planting 10 billion trees in the next five years. He said people of Islamabad and Rawalpindi. It holds our fresh this campaign will have long-lasting impact on improving the water sources; forests, wildlife and above all it provide us environment of Pakistan and bring prosperity to the country. He opportunity to refresh our bodies and souls through its said greener Pakistan is better Pakistan for tourism as well so we scenic splendor. In view of this immense importance of should all come forward and play our role to make Pakistan a Margallah Hills National Park and to raise awareness about green and clean country. Later more than 200 saplings of native the protection of this national park Islamabad Wildlife Board trees were planted by the participants of this event in the area in collaboration with Sustainable Tourism Foundation around the information center of Margalla Hills National Park. Pakistan and Himalayan Wildlife Foundation organized a th STFP has launched a long term tree plantation program with a Mini Margalla Eco Marathon on 9 September 2018. vision to plant millions of trees with the active involvement of general public and nature loving tourists under its Mission Green Pakistan Campaign. More information is available on the website of this program at www.missiongreenpakistan.com.

The major aim of this event was to create awareness among general public about the uniqueness of Margallah Hills National Park’s ecosystem by involving people in a healthy outdoor activity and to highlight its environmental issues through the media coverage of this meaningful event.

On 9th September, the race started at 7am in which more than 226 citizens (197 male and 29 female) participated. The participants were divided into three categories: participants above 60, participants between the ages of 40 and 60 and participants below the age of 40. The route of this mini marathon was from Muraghzar Zoo to Daman-e-Koh and back to Muraghzar Zoo (on the road to Pirsohawa). Total distance of run for male participants was 6 km and for female participants it was 4 km. The race was designed for participants from the age 16 year and above. Continue to page 5……. STFP POST Page - 5

Continue from page 4…….A Prize distribution event was held at NATURE STUDY CAMP FOR CHILDREN the end of the race. At the end of the race cash prizes of AT MARGALLA NATIONAL PARK Rs.10,000/- Rs.6,000/- Rs.3,000/- were awarded respectively th st nd rd On the occasion of Mini Margalla Marathon on 9 to 1 , 2 and 3 position holders in male and female September, STFP also organized a Nature Study Camp for categories and they were also presented winner trophies. the group of students from the Dar e Arqam Schools . Banigala Campus at Margalla Hills National Park in collaboration with IWMB. A talk on Margalla Hills National Park and its biodiversity by renowned nature conservationist Prof. Z.B Mirza, a nature walk about the flora of MHNP facilitated by Dr. Zahid from Comsats University, Project Dinosaur conducted by Ali Ayaz, tree plantation by Aftab

Rana, camping skill training session by Khalil Shah and Nasir Awan, and a painting competition was part of this

educational program. Airf Tufail, Secretary of STFP provided overall facilitation for organizing this activity. Young kids fully

enjoyed this educational ecotourism experience and gained valuable knowledge about nature conservation.

Participation certificates were also awarded to all the participants of the race. Following were the winner of the race in male and female categories:

1. Miss. Misbah Malik, First position in female category (time: 30minutes 43 Sec.) 2. Miss. Zoni Aslam, Second position in female category (time: 40 minutes 50 Sec.) 3. Miss. Shahina, Third position in female category (time: 41minutes 20 Sec.) 4. Mr. Romalo Neves, First position in male category (time: 32 minutes 28 Sec.) 5. Mr. Hamad Shah, Second position in male category (time: 32 minutes 40 Sec.) 6. Mr. Aslam Baid, Third position in male category (time: 32 minutes 45 Sec.)

Inspector General Forests, Ministry of Climate Change, Mr. Mahmood Nasir was chief guest on this occasion. Mr. Nasir talked about the Margallah Hills National Park and its biodiversity and threat faced to the wildlife in the national park.

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7TH GLOBAL SUMMIT ON URBAN TOURISM AND INTERNATIONAL FAIR & SUSTAINABLE TOURISM Pakistan Tourism Summit and International FORUM 2018 AT SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA

Tourism Expo at Karachi On the invitation of UN World Tourism Organization and On the invitation of organizing committee of Pakistan Tourism Summit and International Tourism Expo at Karachi, Aftab Rana, Seoul Metropolitan Government, Aftab Rana, President of STFP attended the 7th Global Summit on Urban Tourism President of STFP participated in Pakistan Tourism Summit and International Tourism Expo 2018. Mr. Rana was invited as guest and International Fair & Sustainable Tourism Forum 2018 at Seoul, South Korea from 16 to 19 September. A large speaker in the opening session of PTS 2018 which took place at Expo Center Karachi from 5 to 6 September. He talked about the number of delegates from around the world were part of this opportunists and challenges faced by the tourism sector in high level global summit. Pakistan. A large number of delegates from different countries were part of this tourism summit.

Mr. Rana participated as a speaker in the International Fair & Sustainable Tourism Forum 2018 and talked about the transformation of tourism from promotion to management. It was a great opportunity to exchange experiences and expertise and learn from the tourism industry leaders from around the world about the common vision to develop sustainable urban tourism and a new thinking that considers the needs and expectations of today’s tourists and promotes inclusive economic and social growth by engaging and empowering local communities.

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WORLD TOURISM DAY 2018 EVENT AT

LOK VIRSA ISLAMABAD HIGH LEVEL MEETING ON AZAD KASHMIR TOURISM POLICY World Tourism Day which is celebrated all around the world on A meeting was held at Kashmir House on 29th September 27th September is a unique opportunity to raise awareness 2018, regarding the upcoming AJK Tourism Policy. about the importance of tourism sector for the socio-economic Chief Secretary AJK chaired the meeting. Midhat development at global, regional, national and local levels. The Shahzad (Secretary Tourism), Pirzada Irshad Ahmad (DG theme of this year's WTD was based on the potential Tourism), Amjad Ayub, Aftab Rana, Col. Abdul Jabbar contribution of digital technologies to sustainable tourism Bhatti participated in this meeting. A comprehensive development, while providing a platform for investment, discussion took place; recently enacted Tourism Policies of KPK and GB were also viewed. Some other best practices partnerships and collaboration towards a more responsible and were also analyzed so as to incorporate them in AJK. inclusive tourism sector.

STFP’s GREEN PAKISTAN CLEAN PAKISTAN CAMPAIGN

In this connection, Center for Culture and Development STFP's Mission Green Pakistan Campaign in organized a seminar in the auditorium of Lok Virsa Islamabad in collaboration with Peshawar Model School for Boys collaboration with various like-minded organizations. Aftab arranged a plantation day this week. Large number of Rana, President of STFP was invited as a guest speaker to give students and staff of school participated in this activity a presentation on the topic of Pakistan’s Tourism Potential and and planted saplings of trees. Mr. Saif, MGP coordinator issue of Sustainability. Large number of people from different at Peshawar also gave a talk to the students on the walk of life participated in this event. importance of tree plantation. STFP POST Page - 8

An average human consumes 740 Kg of Oxygen per year, a rough equivalent of 8 trees. WIth only one billion trees left in Pakistan and population of 210 million, it is roughly 4.9 trees to a person. This is truly alarming and more so in mega cities like Lahore (10 m trees to 11.3 m pop) and Karachi (6 m trees for 16.1 m pop) where the ratio has dropped to 0.9 and 0.35 trees per person, respectively. This is alarming for Pakistan. The world average is 1,492 trees per person ie there are nearly 11 trillion trees for 7.6 billion populations. I salute Pakistan Customs for their tree plantation drive. I am honored by being invited to plant at tree at Customs House, Tree Plantation to celebrate Independent Day at Community Peshawar, as part of their campaign. Thank you Collector School, Village Prem Nagar, District Badin, Sindh by our Customs and all respected colleagues. friends Shah Wali, Saeed Akbar and team. Congratulations to all the participants STFP POST Page - 9

I planted some more trees as part of monsoon tree plantation drive at Lake View Park, Islamabad. I can see these little seedlings growing as tall trees one day and providing shade to our future generations.

STFP’s Mission Green Pakistan team at Islamabad I strongly believe that the people who do small things celebrating Independence Day 2018 by planting trees. It is consistently are the one who can make the biggest just a small token of love for our beautiful homeland. I hope difference. So don’t wait for others to come and help get up all of you will also plant some trees as well. Keep in mind and start doing small things it will make a big difference. even a single tree can make a difference. Don't wait others to come and help. Simply do what you can do.

Senior members of Mission Green Pakistan Team participation in awareness walk organized on 14th August 2018 in collaboration with Dar e Arqam School, Sadiqabad Campus, Rawalpindi.

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Islamabad

House # 5, Street # 11, Main Road, Banigala Islamabad Cell # 0345-8566048 Te l # 051-2612448

Karachi

House 53/3, Maqbool, C.H.S, Alamgir Road, Karachi. Cell # 0300-8216787

E-MAIL: The importance of digital technologies in tourism, providing opportunities for innovation [email protected] and preparing the sector for the future of work, is at the centre of World Tourism Day 2018, to be celebrated in Budapest, Hungary (27 September 2018). We are on Web Ị See at us World Tourism Day, celebrated every 27 September around the world, is a unique www.stfp.org opportunity to raise awareness on tourism’s actual and potential contribution to sustainable development.

This year’s World Tourism Day (WTD) will help to put the opportunities provided to tourism, by technological advances including big data, artificial intelligence and digital platforms, on the map of sustainable development. The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) sees digital advances and innovation as part of the solution to the challenge of marrying continued growth with a more sustainable and responsible tourism sector.

Join STFP Now and Help Support Sustainable Tourism!

In order to provide a common platform for creating awareness, sharing knowledge, increasing cooperation and encouraging the use of best practices of sustainable tourism in Pakistan, STFP has initiated an internet based networking forum under the title of Sustainable Tourism Network (STN). We encourage involvement of all the stakeholders in this network. If you are interested to become a member of Sustainable Tourism Network, please visit our website www.stfp.org to download STN membership form. Send us complete form by email at [email protected]