Abstract
The Northern Areas of Pakistan had a unique culture. Hospitality, respect, sympathy, unity, and bravery were hallmarks of the people of these areas. A community center called hujra (a typical building with pretty lawns) had a very effective role among all the villages and cities of these beautiful areas. The hujra was a strong link among the villages and maintained a smooth coordination among them. This symbolic building remained a source of traditional brotherhood and communal fraternity, for a long time. This article traces the impact of the fall of the hujra and the decline of the cultural values. The fall of the hujura community may be contemporary globalization and frequent exposure to print/electronic media. Parameters like psychological issues, communal farming, disasters induced by humans, air pollution, landscape management, and forestry have been investigated in detail to link the after effects of this downfall. An assessment of the changes and their impact on the old civilization on a variety of parameters has also been made. This study is useful for future planning and sustainable development. A survey of the region was conducted by open-ended questionnaires, field visits, and interviews. People from different age groups, classes, and professions (doctors, engineers, managers, economists, journalists, advocates, etc.) have been included in the survey. About 60% of the interviewed people expressed that the old beautiful culture had a very healthy role in dealing with psychological issues and 80% of the people spoke in its favor regarding communal farming. Overall, it can be said that the fall of the old culture in the Northern Areas of Pakistan has resulted in comparatively more negative and less positive impacts on society.