Transforming communities: Analyzing the effects of infrastructure and tourism development on social capital, livelihoods, and resilience in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan

Abstract

This study explores the dynamic relationship between social capital, livelihoods, and tourism development in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan, focusing on the indigenous social capital influenced by cultural perspectives. Given the rapid infrastructure and tourism developments in Gilgit-Baltistan, understanding their profound impacts on local communities is crucial, as these changes pose unique challenges and offer unprecedented opportunities for sustainable development. It particularly assesses the effects of infrastructure developments, such as the Karakoram Highway and the Belt and Road Initiative, from 1978 to 2022. Through non-probabilistic sampling and contextual textual analysis, this qualitative research investigates how these developments transform community social capital, affect livelihoods and resilience, and alter community perceptions and adaptations. The findings highlight transformative impacts on livelihoods and community dynamics, intensified by international and domestic tourism and infrastructure growth. These transformations lead to challenges like cultural commodification and authenticity issues, with unregulated tourism growth straining local infrastructure and exacerbating sustainability challenges—evident during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study underscores the critical interplay between infrastructure, tourism, and community resilience, advocating for regulated development to balance economic growth with cultural and environmental preservation. Contributing significant theoretical insights and practical guidelines, the research stresses managing the pace and mechanisms of tourism development to maintain the resilience and sustainability of these isolated communities while outlining future research directions on vulnerabilities and resilience strategies in remote tourism areas.