INTRODUCTION
Ahmed Nawaz, a CPPG Alumni and doctoral fellow at the University of Iceland’s Environment and Natural Resource (ENR) Department, was invited by the CPPG to speak on “Changing Discourse of the Protected Areas of Governance in Pakistan: Analysis of the Natural Resources Regimes of Central Karakoram National Park”Nawaz presented his comprehensive analysis pertaining to the regulatory framework governing natural resources regimes within the Central Karakoram National Park. He began by presenting the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) definition of protected areas as geographical spaces recognized, dedicated, and managed through legal or other effective means to achieve the long-term conservation of nature with associated ecosystem services and cultural values. Within this paradigm, a series of pivotal questions arise, each encapsulating its own distinct governance concerns. For instance, it is significant to know: who defines these areas? how those decisions are made? are people taken on board when making those decisions? who conducts this process, manages countries in the Hindu Kush region, such as Nepal, Bhutan and India, exhibit a more landscape-oriented approach. An approach that integrates policy and practice to promote multiple land usages and creates a link between nature, culture, and community. The former focuses more on the conservation and utilization of resources while the latter focuses on promoting traditional modes of land maintenance concurrently creating a link between people, state, and nature. These variations related to governance and resource allocation provide for a lot of maneuverability as to who has access to these resources and who governs them. These protected areas are essential instruments for in-situ conservation (preservation of species in their natural habitat) and safeguarding biodiversity resources. Additionally, these are also aimed at offering a broad range of socio-economic and cultural benefits to society, especially to the communities that live next to the park. it, and regulates people? and who has the power to enforce these values? Elaborating on the definition, Nawaz presented thesis broad categories of protected areas with particular emphasis on national parks. Notably, Pakistan’s approach leans heavily towards national parks, encompassing a strategy that allows the usage of sustainable resources while concurrently pursuing conservation. This approach is inclined towards biodiversity conservation, ecosystem protection, and scientific and educational recreation. In contrast, neighboring