PAKISTAN is home to more than 7,000 glaciers. Stable glaciers are imperative for the wellbeing of the people and their environment. Glaciers are significant for water security, stability of the ecosystem, and for millions of those who depend on these frozen reservoirs.

Due to rising temperatures, these glaciers are melting at a very high rate. Rising temperatures have led to the formation of 3,049 glacial lakes across Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). These lakes lead to glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs), consequently wreaking havoc downstream.

Water security and ecosystem stability are highly threatened by the melting of glaciers. In addition, turbulent river flow, rising sea levels and decreasing fresh-water content are major problems. Out of total water on Earth, only three per cent happens to be fresh-water, and 68pc of this fresh-water is found in glaciers. With the glaciers melting, fresh-water is mixing with the oceans and becoming salty. Rising sea level is causing enforced migration as well as loss of lives and livelihoods. Besides, disruption of water flow from the rivers causes severe problems in hydropower plants, which leads to losses in an already fragile economy.

Glaciers are acually national assets of Pakistan as the country’s economic and environmental wellbeing depends on them. A multifaceted approach is needed to mitigate glacial melting.

Through reducing greenhouse gas emissions, water management practices and providing platforms for inter-national conservation-based bodies, we can do a lot. If we fail to move now, we will be turning our assets into liabilities.

Manzoor Ali
Gilgit

Published in Dawn, January 18th, 2024