Status and determinants of other gainful activities by farmers in mountainous rural regions of Gilgit-Baltistan,Pakistan

Non-farm income sources are important for livelihood sustenance,especially in the mountainous regions of developing countries.To implement effective policies to improve economic development,policymakers need insights at the grassroots level.Yet,there is a lack of empirical evidence in the context of Pakistan.This study examines the current situation and the factors influencing the decision by farmers to engage in other gainful activities(OGAs)such as farm diversification and off-farm work in the northern mountainous regions of Pakistan.The study is based on quantitative survey data obtained from 459 farm managers and qualitative data from 24 key informants from five different districts in GilgitBaltistan.Utilizing a logistic regression model,a statistical analysis is conducted on farmer and farm characteristics to investigate the probability of farm managers to engage in OGAs.The survey results show that around 71%of farm managers are engaged in OGAs(with 24%in farm diversification,61%in offfarm work and 15%in both).The share of female farm managers is 51%in farm diversification while male farm managers dominate off-farm activities(69%).The most prevalent types of farm diversification are the processing of farm products and tourism-related farm work,while the main off-farm activities are setting up grocery stores outside the farm,having salaried jobs or engaging in other non-agricultural business.There are significant differences between farmers with and without OGAs particularly regarding farmer characteristics,agricultural income and some other variables.The logit model results show that farmer characteristics mainly determine off-farm work activities while farm(and other)characteristics mostly explain farm diversification.These findings suggest that OGAs primarily exist as livelihood strategies.Farm diversification is linked with the long-term sustenance of agricultural activities while off-farm work is predominantly driven by economic needs.Both types of OGAs require specific support policies while attention needs to be given not to threaten regional food supply.

Analysis of Serum Cholesterol Level in Goats Breeds in Gilgit-Baltistan Area of Pakistan

In goats （Capra hircus） and other ruminants cholesterol is naturally produced in liver and intestinal walls. It is also acquired from supplemental food. Cholesterol is a source of energy and is a precursor of steroid hormones, bile acids and also required for normal cell function. The level of serum cholesterol is generally lower in goat breeds as compared to other cattles. The present study was conducted to estimate level of serum cholestrol in goats （both male and female） commonly reraed in three areas of Gilgit-Baltistan province of Pakistan viz; Ghizer, Baltistan and Hunza-NagarRandom samples of blood were taken from 440 goats （181 male and 259 female） and serum was obtained by centrifugation. Quantity of cholesterol in mg deciliter＂l of serum was determined by analyzing the serum using Micro-lab 300. Distrci wise comparison showed that cholestrol level in the samples from the three districts was highly significant. While the differences between the gender （male and female goats） from the same district were non-significant at P 〈 0.05. Ghizer breed is suggested to be better for human consumption because it had the lowest chlestrol level. The paper aslo discuss the effect of pastures feeding on the level of cholesterol in the serum of goats. Present findings will help formulate better strategies for the imporvement of goat breeds in the area.

Pre-harvest Fruit Losses and Physico-Chemical Analysis of Different Varieties of Pomegranate in Gilgit-Baltistan Pakistan

The incidence of pre-harvest fruit losses of four pomegranate varieties were surveyed in fifteen villages of three valleys in Gilgit-Baltistan Pakistan during 2010-2011. These varieties were also used to analyze their chemical, physical and physiological properties. The results of the study revealed that mean pre-harvest loss in Jalalabad valley ranged from 11.65% -13.41%, 9.73%-28.87% in Bagrote and 13.81%-25.59% in Haramosh valley. Data obtained for chemical properties of these varieties showed variation in TSS from 11.14-14.3 （~Brix）, acidity 0.39%-0.88%, and maturity index 12.72-36.5, reducing sugar 7.27-12.5 g/100 mL, seed oil 13.1%-14.34% and pH 2.46-3.04. Physical properties in terms of pulp, juice, peel ash, seed ash, seed moisture and peel moisture contents were found as 52.5%-53.7%, 33.16%-36.5%, 0.68%-0.70%, 0.57%-0.67%, 75.83%-79.92% and 70.8%-75.0% among the four varieties. Physiological properties viz., fruit length, fruit diameter, number of seed/fruit, fruit weight, 100 seed weight and seed/fruit weight were also recorded during this study. The overall results of the present study showed higher pre-harvest losses in Haramosh and Bagrote valleys that need to be addressed through improved crop management practices for economic benefits of the farming communities.

Review of Issues Related to Tourism Policies regarding Environmental Management and Customary Practices of Tourism in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan

The purpose of this study is to highlight the issues and problems of tourism planning, policy formulation and implementation in Gilgit-Baltistan-mountainous region of Pakistan-a place which is abound with worth seeing natural scenes and also hub of world＇s highest mountain ranges. Tourism in many countries plays an important role in improving not only economic conditions but it also has been used as a tool to preserve environment. Tourism policy is part of national development policy in many countries, but in Pakistan this sector has been ignored in terms of proper policy formulation and also it was not considered as a potential sector for economic betterment. Although Pakistan, particularly Gilgit-Baltistan is replete with tourism resources, haplessly policy makers never focused on this sector in capitalizing these tourism resources. It also covers the traditional practices of 4 As （Access, Attractions, Accommodation and Acceptance） in Gilgit-Baltistan. In Pakistan, there have been different laws and regulations formulated with the passage of time but they have not been implemented properly. In Pakistan, tourism policy was first prepared in 1983 but it was not enforced appropriately. According to ranking of WEF T＆T （World Economic Forum Travel and Tourism） competitiveness index, Pakistan is ranked below average in policy formulation and implementation.

A Preliminary Study and Characterization of Nasir Abad Hunza Marble Deposit Gilgit Baltistan

Marble is widely used in construction industry mainly in interior & exterior design of buildings due to its resilient physical, chemical & mechanical properties. The diverse geology of Gilgit Baltistan has naturally endowed this region with different varieties of marble deposits. These marble deposits need proper characterization to ensure their proper use in the construction industry. This research aims to conduct a preliminary study for the characterization of the Nasir Abad Hunza marble deposit. Samples from said deposit were subjected to different tests to study its chemical, physical and mechanical properties. Results of XRF analysis reveal that the deposit under study is dolomitic. The comparison of different physical properties of deposits with standard values confirms its originality. However, high variation in the strength of core samples was observed, which could result from incomplete crystallization by metamorphism. This variation in the strength of samples suggests strength-based definitions of deposit domains to propose the use of each domain separately.

Range extension of four highland agamid lizards in Shimshal Pamir,Pakistan

As part of the Sino-Pak trans-boundary cooperation for conservation and sustainable development in Pamir border region, World Wild Fund （WWF）-Pakistan conducted a preliminary social, economic and ecological survey in the ShimshaI-Pamir Lakes area in July 2009. The purpose of the study was to explore potentials and opportunities for future collaborative conservation of some species, habitats and high altitude ecosystems in the border region between China and Pakistan. The two-week herpetological study in the Shimshal Pamir area of Khunjerab National Park （KNP） along Pakistan-China border was an integral part of the survey, conducted exclu- sively to document reptilian fauna with a special emphasis on investigating their occurrence, distribution and status in the study area. Field investigations were performed during daytime when it was hot enough and reptiles were active, basking or feeding. A total of 15 specimens belonging to four species of the Agamidae family were captured by striking stones and beating bushes with sticks. Collected specimens were preserved using 10% formalin solution, tagged with field information and stored in Zoological Survey Department, Karachi for future reference. Laboratory investigations were carried out for pholidosic counts and morphometric measurements. A detailed review of relevant literature, habitat characteristics and laboratory investigations revealed the occurrence of Laudakia himalayana, L. pakistanica, L. tuberculata and L. badakhshana at 4,082 m, 4,172 m, 4,005 m and 4,240 m asl, respectively, which are much higher altitudes as compared to the previously reported heights of 3,353 m, 3,200 m, 2,500 m and 2,400 m asl. The terrain offers a variety of ecological barriers, in the form of fast and freezing running waters and massive glaciers with peculiar harsh climatic conditions prevailing for nine months of the year, which restricts species migration and thus increases endemism. Although one of the four species recorded from the study area, i.e.L, pakistanica is endemic to Pakistan, L. tuberculata and L. badakhshana are new records from Shimshal, Pakistan, so a detailed investigation is suggested for further herpetological records from the study area.

Robinia pseudoacacia leaves improve soil physical and chemical properties

The role of the leaves of Robinia pseudoacacia L., which is widely distributed in the arid lands, on improving soil physical and chemical properties was analyzed at various incubation periods. The incubated soils added with 0, 25, 50 and 75 g Robinia pseudoacacia leaves were tested after consecutive incubation intervals of 6, 8 and 10 months and the different soil parameters were measured. The results showed the increases in organic matter (OM), extractable K, cation exchange capacity (CEC), aggregate stability and water holding capacity, but the decreases in pH value and bulk density after 6 months’ incubation. The gradual decrease in change rates of soil properties indicated less microbial population and organic residual mineralization under acidic conditions, which were resulted from fast decomposition of leaves after the first 6 months incubation. The increases in soil organic matter content, extractable K, CEC, aggregate stability and water holding capacity and the decreases in soil pH and bulk density provide favorable conditions for crop’s growth.

Mineral Resources of Gilgit Baltistan and Azad Kashmir, Pakistan: An Update

The Gilgit-Baltistan Province and Azad Kashmir regions are rich in mineral and natural resources. The gemstones, marbles and many other economic mineralizations are significant but these regions are relatively far from central and southern commercial areas of Pakistan. The gemstones of Gilgit-Baltistan Province are famous worldwide especially from Hunza and Skardu regions. The Azad Kashmir region also has a share of gemstone especially from the upper approaches of Neelam valley and marble, construction materials, coal, clays and other minerals found from different areas of Azad Kashmir. There is no common previous availability of comprehensive papers providing mineral data of Gilgit-Baltistan Province and Azad Kashmir regions. This report provides a quick view of mineral resources occurred in the Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir regions.