Das Projekt "An expanded role for eco-tourism in the protected areas of Afghan and Tajik Badakhshan" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von Universität Zürich, Geographisches Institut durchgeführt. Spectacular mountain scenery often presents great burdens for the communities that live under its splendor. Ideally, its beauty can attract adoring tourists who, in turn, support local residents. Often, geography, history and politics can get in the way. This research project will capitalize on my skills and experience in Central Asia to produce the first in-depth assessment of eco-tourism opportunities in remote areas of the Pamir Mountains, which straddle the border between Afghan and Tajik Badakhshan. There have been several attempts to develop tourism in these remote areas and serious effort has been put towards product development by local and international NGOs. However, most of this work has been done by outside consultants with little experience in the region (Tait, 2008). Outside consultation has not always been representative of what local communities want (MSDSP, 2010). For the success of future efforts, it would be invaluable to know what local communities think of nature-based tourism in the region and how they would be incorporated into tourism strategies. While there are many good examples of eco-tourism assessment research that could serve as models for such efforts (Kloiber, 2007), (Jones, 2010), and (Kloiber, 2011), this work would be the first long-term research analyzing Afghan and Tajik Badakhshans capacity for nature-based tourism. I seek to develop a framework outlining how nature-based tourism should be established, taking into account of environmental, social and economic sustainability of tourism. The outcome of this research will ideally establish the foundation for eco-tourism development in the region for years to come.