The Role of Geography in Human Security: A Case Study of Gilgit-Baltistan

Abstract

“The Role of Geography in Human Security: A Case Study of Gilgit-Baltistan” The research on “The Role of Geography in Human Security: A Case Study of Gilgit-Baltistan” primarily focuses on the function of geography both as an impediment and expedient for human security in the region. It explores into the risks posed by geography as well as the dividends that may be accrued for improvement of human security profile and in turn the peace and conflict state in the region. Mixed method, i.e. a combination of quantitative and qualitative research techniques, has been used. The theoretical framework of geo-humanism has been evolved to determine the role of geography in human security. The matrix of geo-humanism includes geography-technology-governance (GTG) process to improve the human security profile of a region. The physical geography of Gilgit-Baltistan has been analyzed in the light of the five themes of geography adopted by the Association of American Geographers in 1984 to include location, place, movement, human-environment interaction and region. The interaction of geography has been studied in the light of seven subsets of human security as enunciated in the United Nations Development Programme’s Human Development Report of 1997. Details of human geography and contextual makeup of GB include historical perspective, administrative structure, sectarian profile, linguistic makeup, ethnic profile, the cultural geography, and the interaction between geography, history and culture. The theoretical framework of geo-humanism has been applied to GB as a case study. Public opinion based on the survey, using a mixed method to include cluster and random survey techniques, has been carried out in GB region, which verify a number of key assumptions and validates key assumptions. Findings of the study validate the hypothesis. The findings of the dissertation confirm a strong role of geography in human security makeup of the GB region, and governance and technology as the remedies. Political security is greatly influenced by geography in a number of ways. Economic security of GB is primarily dependent on the geographic dividends or difficulties. Food security, which has its roots in agriculture, is purely dependent on geo-climatic conditions of the region. Geo-climatic conditions have both positive and negative effects on health security profile of the region.