Ismaili.NET - Heritage F.I.E.L.D.

In a conservation effort that took nearly a decade to complete, one NGO has undertaken the comprehensive restoration and repair of Baltit Fort, making it a beautiful and functional building, writes Fauzia Husain. Nestled high in the mountains and surrounded by unrivalled vistas of rugged terrain, stands a 700-year-old fort which has been witness to the socio-cultural history of a resilient people, and to a remarkable feat of modern day conservation.

The Aga Khan Trust for Culture has restored the prime historic landmark of the 700 year old Baltit Fort on the terraced slopes in Hunza, in Northern Pakistan. The main theme of the project is to preserve this setting despite natural decay and the inevitable impact of recent changes, such as urbanisation which has begun to threaten the integrity of the built heritage.

The Fort is now a museum and cultural centre. Moreover, culturally and environmentally compatible small enterprises are being promoted which provide gift items, local woollen rugs and hand-knotted vegetable dye carpets for visitors. These activities are playing a major part in reinvigorating the traditional community spirit and restoring the residents' pride of their heritage. A self-paying waste management project has been set up to safely dispose human waste and garbage. The project now attracts over 20,000 visitors, half of which are from outside the country.

Access to the Fort is limited to pedestrians and only 25 visitors are allowed at a time