Why does't US donate some funds for development of this region. If they are worried about Dams they can install a couple of nuclear reactors.
Or is the idea to keep the region backward till it blows up like Afghanistan.
Those fixated on environment can encourage US to provide for ski resorts, golf courses and cattle breeding on the Swiss pattern.
West can also help the region by making it a kind of silicon valley.
Let us be positive.
A.Bajwa
> Date: Sat, 19 Feb 2011 12:52:27 -0600
> Subject: Media Tribe> China's Growing Presence in Gilgit-Baltistan Threatens Regional Environmental Stability and Undermines India-Pakistan Relations:
> From: igbs@gilgitbaltistan.us
> To: Media-Tribe@googlegroups.com
>
> PRESS RELEASE
>
>
>
> Concluded Selig Harrison, Walter Anderson, Lisa Curtis, Syed Iqbal
> Hasnain, Mumtaz Khan, Senge Sering and Imtiaz Hussain during a seminar at
> Johns Hopkins University, Washington D.C.
>
> On February 4, 2011, the South Asia Studies at the Johns Hopkins
> University's School of Advanced International Studies in collaboration
> with the Institute for Gilgit-Baltistan Studies held a seminar titled "The
> Regional Implications of China's Growing Presence in Gilgit-Baltistan".
> Prominent among the participants were Selig Harrison, executive director
> of the Center for International Policy; Syed Iqbal Hasnain, distinguished
> visiting fellow of environmental security at the Stimson Center; Lisa
> Curtis, senior research fellow at the Asian Studies Center at the Heritage
> Foundation; Mumtaz Khan, executive director of the International Center
> for Peace and Democracy; Imtiaz Hussain, president of the Gilgit Baltistan
> National Congress; Senge Hasnan Sering, president of the Institute for
> Gilgit Baltistan Studies; and Walter Andersen (moderator), director of the
> South Asia Studies Program.
>
> Bordering Afghanistan, Tajikistan, China, India, and Pakistan, and as
> part of the larger disputed state of Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan is one of
> the most politically sensitive and geo-strategically situated regions in
> the world. As a resource-rich region abundant in minerals and
> energy-sources; a lynchpin for China to access Afghanistan, Iran, the
> Indian Ocean region, and Africa; China has over the past decade become
> increasingly involved in Gilgit-Baltistan both strategically and via
> economic investment. With Chinese involvement in the region comes a wide
> array of political, security, and economic sensitivities, but also a slew
> of environmental concerns as Chinese-funded infrastructure projects like
> dams, mineral exploratory activities and strategic infrastructure
> development worth billions of dollars begs immediate attention.
>
> Selig Harrison opined that Gilgit-Baltistan is an economically
> under-developed and socially fractured society and very vulnerable to such
> outside interventions. He said, "The impact of even a small Chinese
> presence is highly disproportionate on a marginalized mountainous region
> like Gilgit-Baltistan. This situation of creeping process of control by
> China begs our immediate attention."
>
> Lisa Curtis opined that India's wariness about China's presence in a
> region which is part of former princely state of Jammu & Kashmir is
> understandable. The situation can be seen as highly provocative and
> extremely unhelpful in resolving the regional dispute especially when one
> considers that just eleven years ago, a war between India and Pakistan
> caused huge damage on both sides of Line of Control which divides
> Gilgit-Baltistan and Ladakh.
>
> Syed Iqbal Hasnain warned that China's projects like mega dams increase
> seismic activity and submerge habitable areas and thousands of acres of
> agricultural land. At the same time, it accelerates glacial melting and
> occurrences of flashfloods. While comparing Gilgit-Baltistan with Tibet
> and Xinjiang, he talked about damage to flora and fauna due to China's
> infrastructure development.
>
> Mumtaz Khan expressed concern that China has departed from its policy of
> neutrality on Kashmir and has adopted a stance favorable to Pakistan's
> position on the issue. He said, "While China is consolidating its position
> in Gilgit-Baltistan; at the same time, it challenges India's locus standi
> in Kashmir, which could only complicate and prolong the Kashmir dispute."
>
> Senge Sering said that China's activities in Gilgit-Baltistan are leading
> to environmental degradation and fails to benefit the natives of the
> region. He said, "The local people who oppose China's role in damaging
> glacial resource, pastures and cultural heritage continue to face sedition
> charges in the Pakistani courts. Gilgit-Baltistan is a disputed territory,
> yet both China and Pakistan exploit natural resources sans constitutional
> guarantees." He asserted that China's involvement in Gilgit-Baltistan is
> comparable to advancing the great game in the region.
>
> Imtiaz Hussain brought attention to the fact that Pakistan has failed to
> grant genuine autonomy to Gilgit-Baltistan, as legislative matters
> pertaining to utilization of natural resources and revenue distribution
> continue to remain with Islamabad. He demanded a complete control of the
> people of Gilgit-Baltistan over their land and resources.
>
> In concluding remarks, Walter Anderson expressed his concern over
> construction of several dams in Gilgit-Baltistan which lies on the western
> fringes of the fragile Tibetan plateau. He opined that the situation is
> very alarming since it affects not only Gilgit-Baltistan but also
> endangers the ecosystem and sustainability of biodiversity in the
> surrounding countries. In the end, he thanked the panelists for their
> valuable input and the audience for their participation.
>
> http://www.gilgitbaltistan.us/News-Update/chinas-growing-presence-in-gilgit-baltistan-threatens-regional-environmental-stability-and-undermines-india-pakistan-relations.html
> ---------------------------------------------
> Institute for Gilgit Baltistan Studies is a non profit organization
> incorporated in Washington DC. It was founded by natives of
> Gilgit-Baltistan in 2010 to disseminate information on cultural, economic,
> political and environmental issues, and help preserve the rich
> civilization of the region. The Institute demands demilitarization of
> Gilgit-Baltistan, political and judicial autonomy, genuine democracy, and
> elimination of extremism and terrorism from the region. Although most of
> the members of the organization live outside their birthplace in the
> United States, Canada and Europe, they feel deeply for the economic,
> cultural and environmental degradation as well as the political
> deprivation, which their communities have been undergoing in the last six
> decades. IGBS requests international rights organizations, think tanks,
> and members of the academia to support the organization in its aims for a
> better life for the indigenous communities of Gilgit-Baltistan.
>
> http://www.gilgitbaltistan.us
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> --
> Dear All,
> It's a common platform for journalists and all others who are interested in knowing about the issues that are sometimes not reported. This group favours philosophy of progress, reform and the protection of civil liberties. Please share and educate others. The owners and managers of this site do not necessarily agree with any of the information. It is an open forum and anyone that register can post whatever they like. Mails sent by members and non-members are subject to approval. However, we are not responsible in any way for the contents of mails / opinion sent by members. We do not guarantee that the information will be completely accurate. If you find content on this site which you feel is inappropriate or inaccurate, incomplete, or useless you are most welcome to report it or contradict it.
> Regards,
> Group Manager
> Date: Sat, 19 Feb 2011 12:52:27 -0600
> Subject: Media Tribe> China's Growing Presence in Gilgit-Baltistan Threatens Regional Environmental Stability and Undermines India-Pakistan Relations:
> From: igbs@gilgitbaltistan.us
> To: Media-Tribe@googlegroups.com
>
> PRESS RELEASE
>
>
>
> Concluded Selig Harrison, Walter Anderson, Lisa Curtis, Syed Iqbal
> Hasnain, Mumtaz Khan, Senge Sering and Imtiaz Hussain during a seminar at
> Johns Hopkins University, Washington D.C.
>
> On February 4, 2011, the South Asia Studies at the Johns Hopkins
> University's School of Advanced International Studies in collaboration
> with the Institute for Gilgit-Baltistan Studies held a seminar titled "The
> Regional Implications of China's Growing Presence in Gilgit-Baltistan".
> Prominent among the participants were Selig Harrison, executive director
> of the Center for International Policy; Syed Iqbal Hasnain, distinguished
> visiting fellow of environmental security at the Stimson Center; Lisa
> Curtis, senior research fellow at the Asian Studies Center at the Heritage
> Foundation; Mumtaz Khan, executive director of the International Center
> for Peace and Democracy; Imtiaz Hussain, president of the Gilgit Baltistan
> National Congress; Senge Hasnan Sering, president of the Institute for
> Gilgit Baltistan Studies; and Walter Andersen (moderator), director of the
> South Asia Studies Program.
>
> Bordering Afghanistan, Tajikistan, China, India, and Pakistan, and as
> part of the larger disputed state of Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan is one of
> the most politically sensitive and geo-strategically situated regions in
> the world. As a resource-rich region abundant in minerals and
> energy-sources; a lynchpin for China to access Afghanistan, Iran, the
> Indian Ocean region, and Africa; China has over the past decade become
> increasingly involved in Gilgit-Baltistan both strategically and via
> economic investment. With Chinese involvement in the region comes a wide
> array of political, security, and economic sensitivities, but also a slew
> of environmental concerns as Chinese-funded infrastructure projects like
> dams, mineral exploratory activities and strategic infrastructure
> development worth billions of dollars begs immediate attention.
>
> Selig Harrison opined that Gilgit-Baltistan is an economically
> under-developed and socially fractured society and very vulnerable to such
> outside interventions. He said, "The impact of even a small Chinese
> presence is highly disproportionate on a marginalized mountainous region
> like Gilgit-Baltistan. This situation of creeping process of control by
> China begs our immediate attention."
>
> Lisa Curtis opined that India's wariness about China's presence in a
> region which is part of former princely state of Jammu & Kashmir is
> understandable. The situation can be seen as highly provocative and
> extremely unhelpful in resolving the regional dispute especially when one
> considers that just eleven years ago, a war between India and Pakistan
> caused huge damage on both sides of Line of Control which divides
> Gilgit-Baltistan and Ladakh.
>
> Syed Iqbal Hasnain warned that China's projects like mega dams increase
> seismic activity and submerge habitable areas and thousands of acres of
> agricultural land. At the same time, it accelerates glacial melting and
> occurrences of flashfloods. While comparing Gilgit-Baltistan with Tibet
> and Xinjiang, he talked about damage to flora and fauna due to China's
> infrastructure development.
>
> Mumtaz Khan expressed concern that China has departed from its policy of
> neutrality on Kashmir and has adopted a stance favorable to Pakistan's
> position on the issue. He said, "While China is consolidating its position
> in Gilgit-Baltistan; at the same time, it challenges India's locus standi
> in Kashmir, which could only complicate and prolong the Kashmir dispute."
>
> Senge Sering said that China's activities in Gilgit-Baltistan are leading
> to environmental degradation and fails to benefit the natives of the
> region. He said, "The local people who oppose China's role in damaging
> glacial resource, pastures and cultural heritage continue to face sedition
> charges in the Pakistani courts. Gilgit-Baltistan is a disputed territory,
> yet both China and Pakistan exploit natural resources sans constitutional
> guarantees." He asserted that China's involvement in Gilgit-Baltistan is
> comparable to advancing the great game in the region.
>
> Imtiaz Hussain brought attention to the fact that Pakistan has failed to
> grant genuine autonomy to Gilgit-Baltistan, as legislative matters
> pertaining to utilization of natural resources and revenue distribution
> continue to remain with Islamabad. He demanded a complete control of the
> people of Gilgit-Baltistan over their land and resources.
>
> In concluding remarks, Walter Anderson expressed his concern over
> construction of several dams in Gilgit-Baltistan which lies on the western
> fringes of the fragile Tibetan plateau. He opined that the situation is
> very alarming since it affects not only Gilgit-Baltistan but also
> endangers the ecosystem and sustainability of biodiversity in the
> surrounding countries. In the end, he thanked the panelists for their
> valuable input and the audience for their participation.
>
> http://www.gilgitbaltistan.us/News-Update/chinas-growing-presence-in-gilgit-baltistan-threatens-regional-environmental-stability-and-undermines-india-pakistan-relations.html
> ---------------------------------------------
> Institute for Gilgit Baltistan Studies is a non profit organization
> incorporated in Washington DC. It was founded by natives of
> Gilgit-Baltistan in 2010 to disseminate information on cultural, economic,
> political and environmental issues, and help preserve the rich
> civilization of the region. The Institute demands demilitarization of
> Gilgit-Baltistan, political and judicial autonomy, genuine democracy, and
> elimination of extremism and terrorism from the region. Although most of
> the members of the organization live outside their birthplace in the
> United States, Canada and Europe, they feel deeply for the economic,
> cultural and environmental degradation as well as the political
> deprivation, which their communities have been undergoing in the last six
> decades. IGBS requests international rights organizations, think tanks,
> and members of the academia to support the organization in its aims for a
> better life for the indigenous communities of Gilgit-Baltistan.
>
> http://www.gilgitbaltistan.us
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> --
> Dear All,
> It's a common platform for journalists and all others who are interested in knowing about the issues that are sometimes not reported. This group favours philosophy of progress, reform and the protection of civil liberties. Please share and educate others. The owners and managers of this site do not necessarily agree with any of the information. It is an open forum and anyone that register can post whatever they like. Mails sent by members and non-members are subject to approval. However, we are not responsible in any way for the contents of mails / opinion sent by members. We do not guarantee that the information will be completely accurate. If you find content on this site which you feel is inappropriate or inaccurate, incomplete, or useless you are most welcome to report it or contradict it.
> Regards,
> Group Manager
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