The Karakoram Highway (KKH), also known as the China–Pakistan Friendship Highway, is a 1,300 km (810 mi) overland route connecting Hasan Abdal in Pakistan to the Khunjerab Pass in Gilgit-Baltistan, where it crosses into China. The KKH passes through the Karakoram mountain range, reaching a maximum elevation of 4,714 m (15,466 ft) near the Khunjerab Pass. Due to its high elevation and challenging construction conditions, it’s often referred to as the Eighth Wonder of the World. The highway extends through the rugged terrain of the Karakoram mountain range, offering breathtaking views and connecting remote regions that were once cut off from the world. The Hunza Valley, a region along the KKH, boasts its own unique languages, music, and culture, making this part of the highway truly special.



The Karakoram Highway (KKH) is a crucial component of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), serving as a geopolitical and geospatial bridge connecting China and Pakistan. The highway passes through the capital of Gilgit–Baltistan, Gilgit, and continues through the valleys of Nagar and Hunza, along the Hunza River. Gilgit Baltistan consists of mostly rural areas and the two main cities are Gilgit and Skardu, but other districts like Hunza, Ghanche, and Diamer are also urbanising. Rapid and unplanned constructions are at peak in the region these days. Continuous road construction in the region is making the slopes unstable, and there is the probability of slope failure and rock slump on the road.



Since its completion, the Karakoram Highway has experienced numerous natural disasters, including rockfalls, debris slides, debris flows, mudflows, dry powder flows, flash flooding from water and river gravels, foundation undermining due to abstraction, subsidence, and frost heaving. The road surface is frequently damaged by freezing, floods, and the impact of rockfalls. Preserving this ecologically sensitive area is crucial for maintaining biodiversity and minimising hazards.



Despite this the Diamer-Bhasha Dam and Dasu Dam hydropower projects are being actively constructed in the Thakot to Raikot area along the Karakoram Highway. The reservoir of the Diamer-Bhasha Dam will submerge 104 km of the KKH, displacing approximately 30,000 people, impacting both the highway and local communities. The Dasu project, downstream of Diamer-Basha, will have a reservoir stretching upstream for 74 km along the Indus, submerging 52 km of the KKH.



A range of socio economic issues affect the Diamer-Basha dam project which include poor resettlement plan for local people, compensation of land, threat of cultural heritage, and ecological impacts of this project.



The Karakoram-Himalaya region faces natural hazards like floods, glacial lake outbursts, landslides, and earthquakes. Unstable geological conditions, steep terrain, and climate change exacerbate these challenges. Altering the landscape through dam construction disrupts ecosystems and natural habitats.The KKH, renowned for its complex natural environment and geological conditions, experiences frequent debris flows. Climate change directly influences the frequency and magnitude of these flows, leading to casualties and economic losses. The state of the highway itself varies considerably over its length. While it starts off in good condition from Hasan Abdal, it deteriorates significantly as it climbs into the Kohistan district.



Pakistan has experienced some of the most severe earthquakes, which have triggered numerous, in some cases thousands of, mass movements; some of these landslides resulted in blockages of rivers and the creation of dangerous lakes. The 2010 post-seismic Attabad landslide at Attabad village, Hunza blocked the Hunza River, creating a 21 km long lake that eventually overtopped its dam forming the Attabad lake also known as Gojal lake. As a result of mostly high population densities in potentially risky terrain and poor building codes or poor enforcement of them, earthquakes in Pakistan repeatedly result in high numbers of casualties. The rising water displaced thousands of residents of Gojal valley, buried many hundreds of people and submerged its countless villages, fields, orchards as well as a 19-kilometre stretch of the Karakoram Highway.



Many locals worry about the environmental consequences of large-scale infrastructure projects. The Attabad Lake Power Project has altered the landscape, and there are concerns about seismic risks and stability. Some residents have been displaced due to these projects, affecting their livelihoods and sense of belonging.



The construction of Dassu and Diamer-Bhasha dams poses a significant impact on the Karakoram Highway. Approximately 100 km of the KKH, stretching from Dassu to Chilas, will be submerged due to these dams. This development not only threatens the highway’s integrity but also puts at risk historical and cultural heritage, including Buddhist sculptures and other ancient sites along the route. While the dams are expected to generate electricity, their impact on the KKH’s legacy is a matter of concern.



The submergence of ancient sites along the Karakoram Highway (KKH) due to the construction of Dassu and Diamer-Bhasha dams represents a loss of cultural heritage, knowledge, and environmental balance.



Ancient sites, including Buddhist sculptures, rock carvings, and historical artefacts, hold immense cultural and historical value. Once submerged, these sites become inaccessible for further archaeological study. Researchers will lose the opportunity to explore, document, and learn from these unique cultural remnants. Submerging these sites erases a tangible connection to the past, impacting the understanding of ancient civilizations and their artistic achievements. For local communities and travellers, these sites hold spiritual and symbolic importance. Their loss affects the cultural fabric and identity of the region. As of now, there isn’t a specific plan in place to restore or relocate the ancient heritage sites that will be submerged due to the construction of Dassu and Diamer-Bhasha dams along the KKH. The situation is complex, and decisions regarding preservation, relocation, or documentation require careful consideration.



Due to the nature of Karakoram Highway terrains and geographical location, its ecosystem, and environmental condition seem vulnerable in order to advanced road infrastructure, industries, economic zones, railway lines, power projects, and higher volume of flow of trade and business under CPEC projects.