JT Sustainable Hushe Project

OUR FUNDRAISING

£1000 needed

40%

Why this project needed our help?

Hushe, in the heart of Pakistan’s Karakoram mountains, sits at 3,048 meters and is one of the most remote settlements in Baltistan. At the head of the valley, it serves as a gateway to Concordia and K2 Base Camp. Surrounded by towering 7,000-meter peaks and vast glaciers, Hushe lies on the edge of human habitation in this mountain wilderness. For generations, its people lived in isolation, producing their own food and surviving without electricity, clean water, health care, or education. With support from Karakoram Experience in 1986, the first trekking company to offer commercial trekking in Hushe, the village gained its first school, clean water system, and small hydro-electric plant—early steps that laid the foundation for development, though life remains fragile.

In the summer of 2025, Juniper Trust volunteer Amos Doron, who was part of Karakoram Experience all those years ago, returned to Hushe, spending time with the school and local families. Inspired by the resilience of the community and the natural beauty of the valley, Amos encouraged the idea of developing a project that would combine education, environmental action, and community participation. His visit and long-standing connection with Hushe became the inspiration for the launch of the Sustainable Hushe Project, giving shape and direction to the small but meaningful initiatives now underway.

Pictures from Hushe in 1986

The Sustainable Hushe Project, led by the Juniper Trust and local partners, builds on this progress by supporting small, achievable initiatives that strengthen the community and protect the environment. Climate change, waste management, and increasing visitor numbers are pressing issues in this fragile valley, and the project provides practical ways for villagers to manage these challenges while promoting environmental awareness across the region.

Current projects include producing 20 wicker baskets to use as litter bins across the village, helping tackle waste from both residents and trekkers. Collected plastic and metal will be transported to Khaplu or Skardu for recycling. The school recently celebrated World Environment Day with creative and practical activities, engaging pupils directly in protecting their valley. These initiatives foster awareness and responsibility in the younger generation while providing visible improvements for the whole community.

The project also recognises Hushe’s environmental heritage. Woodland, once heavily cut for firewood, is now thriving thanks to alternative fuel sources, and reduced hunting has allowed ibex and even snow leopards to return. Yet challenges remain: harsh winters, limited access to health care, and the growing impact of climate change make life precarious. Sustainable Hushe addresses these concerns by combining education with practical solutions that the community itself can manage and maintain.

Looking forward, the vision is for Hushe to become a model of sustainability in the Karakoram National Park. To achieve this, we need to raise funds to grow the Sustainable Hushe Project and support new community-led initiatives. We hope this will appeal to the many organised trekking groups now travelling through the valley, whose presence, while bringing income, too often leaves a negative footprint on the fragile environment. By supporting this project, trekkers and supporters can help protect Hushe’s unique mountain landscape for future generations while empowering the local community to shape its own sustainable future.