Hackathon Aims to Tackle Climate Challenges in GB and KP

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Islamabad: The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has launched the “Glacial Lake Outburst Floods” (GLOFs) project in partnership with the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, supported by the Green Climate Fund.

This initiative aims to address climate vulnerabilities in the valleys of Gilgit Baltistan (GB) and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP).

Pakistan hosts more than 13,032 glaciers across the Karakoram, Hindu Kush, and Himalayan ranges, making it the largest glacier reservoir outside the polar regions.

However, these glaciers and their surrounding habitats face significant challenges due to climate change, with reports indicating that 10,000 glaciers are receding.

The primary objective of the project is to protect communities from the impacts of GLOFs resulting from accelerated glacial melts.

To achieve this, awareness sessions are being conducted in universities and colleges across GB and KP in collaboration with Cirrus Pakistan.

These sessions will culminate in a climate-focused hackathon aimed at generating local knowledge-based solutions for climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction.

Participants were invited to propose concepts focusing on climate-resilient livelihood interventions and innovative disaster risk reduction practices. 

Dr Allah Ditta, Associate Professor and Chairman of the Department of Environmental Sciences at Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University Sheringal, Dir, emphasized the importance of engaging youth to foster innovative solutions against climate change impacts in the region.

Sumaira Gul, a student from Karakoram International University, highlighted the urgency of investing in climate-responsive solutions during one of the awareness sessions.

She expressed her motivation to participate in the hackathon, aiming to contribute to sustainable solutions that protect local communities and the environment.

UNDP’s GLOF-II project operates in 16 valleys of Gilgit-Baltistan and 8 valleys in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. It empowers communities to identify and manage risks associated with GLOFs and climate change impacts.

The project also strengthens public services to mitigate disaster risks, enhances community preparedness and response, and promotes sustainable livelihood options, particularly focusing on women’s participation for food security and livelihood sustainability.