ISLAMABAD: A team of mountaineers and researchers have crossed the world’s longest glacier outside polar region and claimed the Karakoram anomaly is not correct.

According to the Karakoram anomaly, though glaciers all over the world are melting, they are increasing in the Karakoram range.

Members of the team say the glaciers are melting and moving due to which accidents like avalanches and floods have increased, Speaking at a press conference at the National Press Club on Wednesday, Pakistan Integrated Mountain Conservancy Programme (PIMCP) Coordinator Daulat Mohammad Baig said five researchers were given training and sent with mountaineers to cross the glaciers spread over 200 square kilometres in Gilgit Baltistan.

“This was the first winter expedition on the glaciers. The team crossed eight of the biggest glaciers of the world in 20 days including Braldu, Lupke La, Snow Lake, Biafo, Khoordhopin, Mulungadi, Shungdiatk and Yazghail Glacier,” he said.

Researchers find large glaciers outside polar region also melting, causing avalanches, floods

Mr Baig added the team was also given equipment for their research and it has been decided that there will be two exhibitions a year for the collection and documentation of data and a detailed report will be published after 10 years.

He said studies in the past were conducted on the basis of satellite images and that this was the first time that researchers had gone to the glaciers, which tower over 6,000 metres, collected data and observed changes with their own eyes.

A researcher, Waqar Ali said the aim of the study was to raise awareness about nature, wildlife and the environment “During the visit, we observed that the Karakoram anomaly is wrong as the glaciers are melting and moving from their places. Glaciers are an asset and they are at risk due to climate change.

“The security of human life has been affected as incidents such as land sliding and floods have increased. The China Pakistan Economic Corridor will also affect the glaciers because of an increase in development work,” he said.

Mountaineer Abdul Joshi, who has been going on expeditions for years, said he had observed that the glaciers were melting over the years and that they were not as firm as before.

“Therefore, I decided to become part of the research because expeditions will lose their charm if the glaciers melt,” he said.

Another mountaineer, Niamat Karim said it was a successful expedition.

“Mountaineers can have a better idea of the glaciers and the changes occurring in them. I believe the study will be beneficial for the protection of the glaciers,” he said.

Published in Dawn, February 23rd, 2017