Melting Glaciers, Rising Temperatures: Policy Actions Necessary To Combat Climate Change

Peshawar: Pakistan has more than 7,000 glaciers supplying drinking water for humans, feeding ecological habitats and agricultural activity, and even powering electricity. As the planet’s temperature rises, glaciers melt and cause floods in the region.

Mostly located in Himalaya, Hindukash and Karkuram regions of Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, these glaciers are an essential (about 70 per cent) source of fresh water for agriculture, irrigation, drinking and industrial supplies to people, agriculturists, farmers and industrialists living in those regions and downstream of Pakistan.

The National Water Policy 2018revealed that Pakistan’s population is expanding quickly, and as a result, there will soon be a water deficit and, consequently, a concern of food insecurity. From 5,260 cubic metres annually in 1951 to about 1,000 cubic metres in 2016, the per capita surface water availability has declined.

It states that by 2025, this amount is probably going to further decline to around 860 cubic metres, which would symbolise Pakistan’s transformation from “water stressed” to “water scarce” (The minimum water requirement to avoid food and health implications of water scarcityis 1,000 cubic metres per capita per year).

The circumstance necessitates the quick development and wartime management of the nation’s water resources.

There could be major repercussions from the unpredictable and changing precipitation patterns, such as flash floods in the north and potentially protracted droughts in the south. More glacial lakes will arise as the glaciers recede, increasing the risk of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOF), which are already more frequent and dangerous in the country’s northern area; the Policy report added.

Last year, a record-high heatwave hit Pakistan earlier than the country’s usual summer. Consequently, at least 16 glacial lake outburst floods have occurred in 2022, compared to an average of five or six each year. Hassanabad Village saw one of the worst floodings this year as a result of the Shisper Glacier melting. The Hassanabad Bridge, two hydroelectric power plants, and other infrastructure were all destroyed in this catastrophe.

Plantation could combat climate change

KP Forest Department Conservator Gulzar Rehman said that spring plantation in glaciers zones would be started through enclosures and farms forestry techniques to slow glaciers melting during summer. As many as 78.93 million saplings would be planted with help of government departments, NGOs, farmers, general public and forest enclosures in Khyber-Pakthunkhwa during spring season.

At least 27.460 million saplings would be sown in Kohat, Peshawar, Hangu, Bannu, DI Khan, Karak, Tank and Lakki Marwat, 30.190 million in Haripur, Abbottabad, Manshera, Batagram, Kohistan and 21.28 million in Swat, Malakanad, Dir Upper, Dir Lower, Chitral, Shangla and Buner districts.

Besides 77,569,444 forest plants, 783,693 ornamental and native species would be distributed among people, informed Gulzar. As many as 56.277 million plants would be sown through farm forestry and 42.402 million seedlings through farmers besides provision of 2.117 million plants to Gilgit-Baltistan.

Besides raising 1.1308 million plants under urban-perri plantation and through masses, Rehman told that 3.075 million plants would be sown through village developmental committees, 5.429 million through defense forces, 2.123 million through educational and religious institutions, government departments and other organizations besides carrying sowing and dibbling over an area of 1260 acres on suitable sites. APP