Introduction & Context

The Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) with technical support of German Red Cross (GRC) is implementing project “Strengthening the capacities of the Pakistan Red Crescent Society in the area of climate-sensitive disaster risk management" (locally known as "Climate Advocacy Coordination for Resilient Action" – CACRA)” in Pakistan. The project is being financially supported by German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) under the social structural funding instrument (SSF). One of the project’s scopes is to contribute to the development of climate- smart policies at national and sub-national levels by revising and utilizing existing plans/documents.

Considering the scope, PRCS has coordination and collaboration with various stakeholders including public sector departments.

In result of those collaborations, PRCS, GRC and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Gilgit- Baltistan agreed to review/update the Environmental Policy of GB. For this assignment, the GRC PRCS are seeking a consultant or a consultancy firm to review and update this policy in close coordination with close coordination with EPA-GB.

The Gilgit-Baltistan Environmental Policy (2024) serves as a guiding framework for environmental management, sustainable development, and conservation of natural resources in the region. It outlines the strategic direction for safeguarding ecosystems, regulating development, and ensuring environmental sustainability in line with regional priorities. Since its formulation, significant developments have occurred in terms of emerging environmental challenges, institutional responsibilities, and legislative advancements. Rapid urbanization, infrastructure development, impacts of climate change, and increasing pressure on natural resources have exposed limitations within the existing policy framework.

Furthermore, the promulgation of recent legislation, including laws related to river and natural resource protection, necessitate alignment and integration within the Environmental Policy to ensure coherence across governance instruments.

2. Objective/purpose

2.1 Purpose

The primary objective of this initiative is to undertake a comprehensive review and revision of the

Gilgit-Baltistan Environmental Policy to ensure it is:

• ligned with the objectives and mandates of GB-EPA and other relevant departments.
• Harmonized with existing laws, including the Environmental Protection Act and recent legislation.
• Responsive to emerging environmental challenges and climate change impacts.
• Structured to support effective implementation, monitoring, and enforcement.
• The assignment will also aim to transform the policy into a practical instrument that guides planning,
• decision-making, and regulatory processes across sectors.

3. Task description

3.1 Consultancy Scope

The scope of work will include:

• A detailed review of the existing Environmental Policy of Gilgit-Baltistan.
• Identification of gaps, inconsistencies, and outdated provisions within the policy.
• Analysis of alignment with:
  • GB-EPA Act and Rules & Regulations
  • Recent legislation
  • Sectoral policies (mining, tourism, water, forestry, etc.)

• Comparative review of environmental policies from other provinces and regions to identify best practices.

•Stakeholder consultations with:

• • GB-EPA
  • Line departments
  • District administration

•Integration of cross-cutting themes such as:

oClimate change adaptation and mitigation

oDisaster risk reduction

oGlacier and watershed protection

oSustainable resource management

oCommunity participation and benefit-sharing

•Preparation for a revised Environmental Policy with:

oClear objectives and strategic priorities

oDefined institutional roles and coordination mechanisms

oImplementation and monitoring framework

oPolicy-action linkage

•Development of an implementation roadmap to operationalize the revised policy.

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