The 2014 UIAA Mountain Protection Award has been awarded to Pamir Horse Adventure, a Tajikstan-based community tour operator, for its conservation and tourism development initiatives in the Pamir Mountains.
The award was given today at the Kiku. International Mountain Summit by Dr. Carolina Adler, a member of the UIAA Mountain Protection Commission with representatives of sponsors Western University and Golden Rock in Brixen, Italy.
From left to right: Dr. Carolina Adler of the UIAA Mountain Protection Commission, Pamir Horse Travel representative Zhandiya Zoolshoeva, Elvin Mammadov of Western University and Alex Ploner of IMS (Photo: Stephan Adler for UIAA)
“This year’s winner, Pamir Horse Travel, has shown how effective and meaningful consultation and involvement with local people can in fact be realised,” said Dr. Adler. “They have enacted upon their will to not only improve their tourism offer in the mountain regions of Tajikistan, but also achieve a long lasting relationship with the local communities through the development of horse travel and tourism.”
“This is a great way to not only showcase the local culture, but also sustainably align their operations with the values the locals hold dear, both economic and other more intrinsic cultural values,” added Dr. Adler.
