Concrete Jungle in the Hills: Is Unchecked High-Rise Development Threatening Galiyat’s Natural Heritage?

For decades, Galiyat has been celebrated as one of Pakistan’s most picturesque mountain regions, renowned for its dense pine forests, breathtaking valleys, pleasant climate and rich biodiversity. Stretching across Nathia Gali, Ayubia, Dunga Gali and neighbouring hill stations, the region has long served as a sanctuary for nature lovers and a cornerstone of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s tourism industry. Today, however, its iconic landscape is undergoing a dramatic transformation. Multi-storey hotels, apartment complexes and commercial buildings are rapidly replacing forests and open green spaces, raising growing concerns among environmentalists, urban planners and local residents that unregulated development is threatening the ecological balance and natural heritage that have defined Galiyat for generations.

Over the past decade, multi-storey hotels, apartment complexes and commercial buildings have spread across the region at an unprecedented pace. Hillsides that were once covered with forests and open green spaces are increasingly dominated by reinforced concrete structures. Critics argue that the changing skyline is gradually eroding the natural character that made Galiyat a unique tourist destination.

The concerns extend beyond aesthetics. Environmental experts have long warned that excessive construction on steep mountain slopes can increase pressure on fragile ecosystems, reduce forest cover, disrupt natural drainage systems and heighten the risk of soil erosion and landslides. As climate change continues to intensify extreme weather events across northern Pakistan, many believe that poor land-use planning could further increase the vulnerability of mountain communities.

These concerns have recently moved beyond public debate and into the corridors of government. A dispute has emerged between the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Adviser on Tourism and senior officials of the Galiyat Development Authority (GDA), bringing renewed attention to the regulation of construction in one of Pakistan’s most environmentally sensitive tourism regions.

During a recent visit to Galiyat, the Adviser on Tourism questioned GDA Director General Fawad Khan regarding the allotment of more than five kanals of government land at the Changla Gali Rest Area and the subsequent construction of a hotel on the site. According to officials familiar with the matter, the adviser sought clarification on the legal basis for the allotment and whether all applicable rules and procedures had been followed.

The issue gained further attention later the same day when GDA Director General Fawad Khan, Director Administration Noor-ul-Haq and Director Building Control Farukh Jadun submitted requests to the Chief Secretary of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa seeking transfers on what they described as “personal grounds.” The provincial government did not approve the requests, and the officers have continued to serve in their respective positions.

The developments have intensified public discussion about how construction projects are approved in Galiyat and whether existing regulatory mechanisms are adequately protecting the region’s environmental heritage. They have also revived broader questions about institutional oversight, enforcement of building regulations and the balance between tourism development and environmental conservation.

For many residents, the debate is not simply about individual buildings. It is about the long-term future of a mountain region whose economy depends on preserving the very landscape that continues to attract visitors from across Pakistan and abroad.

The controversy surrounding high-rise construction has exposed deeper concerns about governance and regulatory oversight in the Galiyat region. At the centre of the debate are questions over which institution bears primary responsibility for approving construction projects and whether existing laws have been consistently enforced.

Speaking in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Provincial Assembly, Tourism Adviser Adil Iqbal announced that he intended to recommend a high-level inquiry to Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Khan Afridi. According to the adviser, the proposed inquiry would examine how permissions were granted for the construction of high-rise hotels, apartment buildings and other commercial structures that, according to his assessment, may not fully comply with the applicable building regulations.

The adviser has argued that preserving Galiyat’s ecological balance is essential not only for environmental reasons but also for the long-term sustainability of the province’s tourism industry. He has maintained that development should proceed within the framework of environmental laws and approved planning regulations.

Officials of the Galiyat Development Authority, however, reject suggestions that the authority alone should be held responsible for the current situation. GDA officials maintain that construction approvals in the region are not issued exclusively by their institution. According to the authority, the Tehsil Municipal Administration (TMA), operating under the provincial Local Government Department, also possesses legal authority to approve certain categories of building plans.

This overlapping administrative structure has become one of the central issues in the ongoing debate. Critics argue that multiple approval authorities operating under different regulatory frameworks have created uncertainty over accountability. Supporters of regulatory reform believe that overlapping jurisdictions make enforcement difficult and allow developers to exploit differences between separate sets of building rules.

The local civil society organisation, Galiyat Tahaffuz Movement, has been among the most vocal critics of the existing regulatory system. Representatives of the movement argue that both the GDA and the TMA have failed to effectively enforce planning regulations designed to protect the region’s fragile mountain environment.

According to the organisation, building permits have, in some cases, been issued under political influence or administrative pressure. It further alleges that inconsistencies between separate building regulations have enabled developers to obtain approvals that might not have been possible under a single, uniformly enforced regulatory framework.

The movement has repeatedly called for a comprehensive review of construction approvals, greater transparency in land-use decisions and the adoption of uniform building regulations across the Galiyat region. It also advocates stronger environmental impact assessments before permission is granted for major commercial developments.

According to government sources, the disagreement between the Tourism Adviser and senior GDA officials has reached the office of Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Khan Afridi. While the provincial government has not publicly commented on the reported differences, officials familiar with the matter say the administration is attempting to carefully assess the issues before deciding whether to order a formal inquiry.

Sources suggest that the government faces a delicate administrative challenge. On one hand, it must respond to concerns regarding environmental protection and regulatory compliance. On the other, it must avoid reaching conclusions before all relevant records, approvals and legal procedures have been independently examined.

Meanwhile, the controversy has generated considerable discussion among residents, tourism operators and environmental groups throughout Abbottabad district. Many argue that the issue extends beyond individual construction projects and instead reflects broader questions about urban planning, institutional accountability and sustainable tourism management in one of Pakistan’s most environmentally sensitive regions.

Several local journalists have also questioned whether responsibility rests solely with regulatory authorities. They allege that political influence may have played a role in some development decisions and claim that certain elected representatives and politically influential individuals supported projects that later became controversial.

Among the projects frequently mentioned is the allotment of more than five kanals of government land at the Changla Gali Rest Area. Some local journalists have linked the allotment to Ali Asghar Khan, Member of the National Assembly from Abbottabad and General Secretary of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), who is also the son of former Pakistan Air Force Chief Air Marshal Asghar Khan.

The allegations have not been independently verified. Repeated attempts were made to obtain Mr. Ali Asghar Khan’s response before publication. Telephone calls seeking his comments were not answered. His position will be published if it is received.

Urban planners and environmental experts argue that the controversy in Galiyat reflects a much broader challenge confronting Pakistan’s mountain tourism destinations. As visitor numbers continue to increase each year, pressure to construct new hotels, guest houses, apartments and commercial facilities has intensified. While tourism generates employment and supports local businesses, experts caution that development without effective planning can permanently damage the very landscapes that attract visitors.

Mountain ecosystems are particularly vulnerable to unplanned construction. Large-scale excavation on steep slopes, the removal of mature trees and inadequate drainage systems can accelerate soil erosion, increase the risk of landslides and disrupt natural water channels. Environmentalists also warn that replacing green spaces with concrete structures contributes to higher local temperatures, reduced groundwater recharge and the gradual loss of biodiversity.

Residents of Galiyat have expressed mixed views on the region’s rapid transformation. Many acknowledge that tourism has created economic opportunities and improved infrastructure, while others fear that excessive commercialisation is undermining the area’s environmental identity. Several local community members argue that preserving forests, walking trails and open landscapes is essential for ensuring that future generations continue to benefit from tourism.

The debate has also highlighted the importance of transparent governance. Planning specialists say that where multiple government institutions exercise overlapping authority, accountability can become blurred unless responsibilities are clearly defined. They argue that regulatory agencies should operate under a single, consistent framework that applies equally to all developers, regardless of their financial or political influence.

Legal experts note that if building regulations exist, they must be enforced uniformly and without exception. At the same time, they emphasise that allegations of regulatory violations should be examined through independent and transparent investigations rather than through political rhetoric or public speculation. Such inquiries, they argue, help protect both the public interest and the rights of individuals named in complaints.

Environmental organisations have also called for greater public participation in planning decisions affecting protected mountain areas. They recommend that major commercial projects undergo comprehensive environmental impact assessments before approvals are granted and that local communities be consulted during the planning process. Many conservation groups believe that sustainable tourism depends on balancing economic development with environmental protection rather than treating the two objectives as competing priorities.

The current dispute between the Tourism Adviser and officials of the Galiyat Development Authority has therefore become more than an administrative disagreement. It has evolved into a broader discussion about how Pakistan intends to manage development in environmentally sensitive regions at a time when climate change is placing increasing pressure on natural ecosystems.

Whether the provincial government ultimately orders a formal inquiry or adopts new regulatory reforms, the outcome is likely to shape the future direction of development in Galiyat. The decisions taken today could influence not only future construction projects but also public confidence in the institutions responsible for protecting the region’s natural heritage.

For many observers, the central question extends beyond the legality of individual building approvals. It is whether economic growth and tourism expansion can proceed without sacrificing the forests, mountain landscapes and ecological balance that have made Galiyat one of Pakistan’s most admired destinations.

As the debate continues, one principle commands broad agreement across government, civil society and the tourism industry: preserving Galiyat’s natural beauty is not only an environmental responsibility but also an economic necessity. If unchecked development continues to outpace effective regulation, the region risks losing the very qualities that have made it a symbol of Pakistan’s mountain tourism for generations.

The controversy has also created an opportunity. A transparent review of planning policies, stronger enforcement of environmental regulations and greater institutional coordination could help restore public confidence while ensuring that future development remains both lawful and sustainable. For a region celebrated for its forests, cool climate and breathtaking landscapes, the challenge is no longer whether development should take place, but whether it can be managed responsibly.