ISLAMABAD: A new study has revealed that Pakistan is home to an astonishing 13,000 plus glaciers, underscoring the country’s status as a critical reservoir of freshwater in South Asia.

This was stated at a press conference jointly organised by Ministry of Climate Change and Italian research institute, EvK2CNR, celebrating the launch of the “Glaciers and students” project. The findings not only contribute to Pakistan’s climate resilience strategies but also highlight the importance of international cooperation in tackling environmental challenges.

Romina Khurshid Alam, Coordinator to the Prime Minister on Climate Change, commended the Italian government along with EvK2CNR and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for their essential role in supporting Pakistan’s climate initiatives, especially in the sensitive Gilgit-Baltistan region. Ms Alam stressed the urgency of addressing climate change impacts, as Pakistan has faced a surge in climate-triggered disasters with mountainous areas like Gilgit-Baltistan being especially vulnerable.

She explained that the recent glacier inventory, an achievement of collaboration between EvK2CNR experts and Pakistani institutions, showed the remarkable scale of Pakistan’s glaciers. The project benefited from partnerships with universities in Gilgit-Baltistan and support from Italian institutions.

“The inventory is a milestone in climate research, showcasing the importance of international cooperation to face the climate crisis,” she noted.

She expressed gratitude to the Italian government and the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation for sustained support that had strengthened Pakistan’s climate resilience efforts.

Italian Ambassador to Pakistan Marilina Armellini highlighted the enduring ties between Italy and Pakistan, a relationship that had supported various development projects in Pakistan for almost three decades.

PM’s aide commends role of Italian govt along with EvK2CNR and UNDP in supporting Pakistan’s climate initiatives

The ambassador reaffirmed Italy’s commitment to aiding Pakistan’s sustainable development initiatives, particularly those addressing climate-related vulnerabilities.

UNDP Resident Representative Samuel Rizk provided an overview of the “Glaciers and students” project and its role in building Pakistan’s climate response capacity. He noted that UNDP’s collaboration with Italian and Pakistani partners, including EvK2CNR and the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), was aimed at enhancing climate adaptation efforts in vulnerable communities.

EvK2CNR experts Maurizio Gallo and Dr Davide Fugazza said the project’s glacier inventory would serve as an invaluable resource for Pakistan’s water needs, particularly in drinking and irrigation. The project also installed eight automatic weather stations in Gilgit-Baltistan for environmental monitoring, which would provide critical data for future climate research.

A noteworthy achievement of the project was the active involvement of local institutions, including Karakoram International University, University of Baltistan and the Environment Protection Agency Gilgit-Baltistan.

Italian universities, including the University of Milan and the University of Cagliari, also played key roles. Additionally, the project facilitated the participation of 171 female students from Gilgit-Baltistan, a significant step in promoting gender inclusion in scientific research in the region.

The inventory marked a major step in understanding and managing Pakistan’s critical water resources while international partnerships continued to drive Pakistan’s response to the escalating challenges of climate change.

Published in Dawn, November 8th, 2024