Over GILGIT, BALTISTAN, and Northern Areas of Pakistan is HUNZA VALLEY, known as the earth’s paradise due to its beautiful natural scenes, high boundless mountains, and attractive lush green valleys. The lake that was formed in Hunza Valley is known as Attabad Lake.
It has since then developed into one of the most visited tourist sites, with beauty in water that is almost turquoise and accompanied by beautiful scenery. In this article, the author takes his reader through the journey of Attabad Lake – how it came into existence and why it is important.
The lake which appears in the Hunza Valley is Attabad Lake or Gojal Lake. It cannot be a product of a gradual process; it emerged as a product of a sudden catastrophe. An earthquake occurred on January 4, 2010, in the small village of Attabad in Hunza Valley by a disaster of mud and stones that led to the closure of the Hunza River.
The disaster left at least 20 people dead and hundreds displaced after the landslide engulfed several villages in tons of rock and earth. This blockage also forms a natural barrier; hence, water from the Hunza River accumulates and forms a lake.
Attabad Lake is in the Gojal region in the northeastern part of the Hunza Valley at 25 kilometres (15.5 miles) from Karimabad, the valley’s main town. It is located in the northern area of Gilgit-Baltistan, a territory of Pakistan under dispute for its control with India.
Located in the northernmost area of the new development region, the lake, which is at an altitude of about 2600 meters (8,530 ft) above sea level, lies amidst five mountain giants of the southern part of the spectacular Karakoram range.
If you are in Hunza Valley and want to go to Attabad Lake, it is just 25 kilometres from Karimabad, the central town of Hunza Valley.
This trip by road is estimated to take about 30 – 40 hours, as weather and road conditions might take a shorter time of 30 hours, depending on the condition of the ground. People can seamlessly rent a jeep or car from Karimabad to this lake since it is along the picturesque Karakoram highway.
A vast landslide formed Attabad Lake, the most gruesome in the most recent history of Pakistan. It was once some 13 miles long and over 328 feet deep in some places at its widest extent. The disaster flooded several villages in Gilgit along the river, including Gulmit, Shishkat and Ghulkin, which displaced thousands of its residents.
When the water levels increased, the Karakoram highway, which connects the region to China and the rest of Pakistan, became impassable, thus isolating many areas from the rest of the world and creating many problems for the regional economy.
Some months later, it continued to rise and appeared as if it would breach the naturally-formed dam of waters. Provides tried to redirect the water, but it remained there, altering the geography of Hunza Valley.
The impact of the social and economic nature of Attabad Lake formation on the people of Hunza Valley cannot be ignored. Due to the blockage of the trade route Karakoram highway, which directly connects Pakistan and China, the death toll caused very high losses to the economic lives of the people. Some families who had engaged in agriculture and trade ended up unemployed.
Such inland flooding led to the submerging of several villages, thus causing thousands of people to be displaced; the government was compelled to provide the victims with temporary accommodation and or compensation for their losses.
But another year after this sad event, Attabad Lake became a beautiful tourist place. Their crystal-like blue waters, bordered by the awe-inspiring Karakoram range, have been a beacon to domestic and international tourists. Tourism activities on the lake include boating, water skiing, fishing, and jet skiing.
A few luxury resorts and guesthouses have also been developed close to the lake to offer tourists a spectacular view of the nearby mountains and water bodies. Tourism generated from Attabad Lake has brought new opportunities to the people of Gilgit Baltistan, especially for those working in the hospitality and tourism sectors.
The losses, which resulted from the landslide, were somewhat compensated by the economic yield from tourism.
Attabad Lake is situated on the Karakoram Highway, despite being part of the CPEC China-Pakistan Economic Corridor – the multi-billion plan to strengthen connectivity between Pakistan and China. The lake sits on the border of Pakistan and China; hence, it spurs development within this part of the world.
Works on tunnels along the KKH have proven beneficial because the lake closed down part of the economic connection after swamping the road. Besides being economically important, the lake is crucial to geologists and environmental personnel.
The source of the lake is a typical natural landslide which testifies to the active geological processes of the formation of the topography of the Karakorum; the tectonic disgracing and erosion are ongoing, permanent, unstoppable processes.
Attabad Lake has emerged as an excellent source of revenue through tourism, but at the same time, it has proven to be environmentally sensitive. These levels are still rising, posing great danger to more villages alongside the Hunza River.
Many activities have been carried out around this site; roads and hotels have been built around the lake, yet little attention has been given to environmental conservation. There is, therefore, the need to promote the right tourism and development that would help to support the development while at the same time protecting the lake.
To get to Attabad Lake, tourists normally fly to Gilgit, the nearest city with an airport. The main town in Hunza Valley, Karimabad, is roughly an hour’s drive from Gilgit. Soothingly, driving through the area provides beautiful scenery of the Karakoram Mountain range, where tourists may pull over at agreed sighting locations to savour the captivated rough terrains.
To get to Attabad Lake, after reaching Karimabad – which is relatively easier – one has to only drive for 25 kilometres. To reach the lake, one must take the Karakoram Highway, which goes up to several valleys and villages.
In the same context, Hunza Valley should be a top tourist destination for those who like nature and active rest. As earlier said, Attabad Lake is about 25 kilometres from Hunza, making it fairly easy to drive there.
However, because this area is located at a high altitude and there are many small mountains, there is a need to be careful while driving, especially if planning the road trip in winter, because the roads might be covered by ice and can be blocked by snow.
The best time to visit Attabad Lake is during summer, from May to September, since the storms have receded, worsening the lake’s situation, and the water’s colours are at their best. I also love it, especially in winter, when it forms a frozen cover over the water body; this is an added beauty, but coming into this place in winter has certain challenges.
As much as Attabad Lake symbolises hope and rebirth for the inhabitants of Hunza Valley, the challenges persist. It is still expanding, and risk control measures for flood hazards and environmental impact remain an important consideration.
Currently, local authorities, in conjunction with international partners, are developing sustainable measures to reduce risks, such as the reinforcement of natural dams and the enhancement of the resources around the lake.
Tourism and environmental conservation are issues the region will face in the future. Measures in waste management and wildlife conservation can help support the sustainability of Attabad Lake so that it is a beauty to treasure in the future.
Attabad Lake – the lake formed by a devastating disaster in Hunza Valley, has become one of the enchanting tourist attractions in Pakistan. The crystal-clear waters and this mountainous surroundings have made the lake famous, attracting visitors from all corners of the globe.
Though the formation of the lake led to problems that affected the people who were forced to relocate, the formation of the lake provided new economic tourism opportunities.
Looking at the further development of Attabad Lake, its story also touches on PR and indicates what loads nature can put on the people of the Hunza Valley. This hazardous, disaster-prone lake has transformed into a new iconic tourist spot in Pakistan, and the northern areas are exceptionally beautiful.
