The violent Glaciers and hapless people of Gilgit-Baltistan
Gilgit_Baltistan is one of country’s
most vulnerable areas to climate change. Gilgit-Baltistan due to its
geographical location has been frequently affected by heavy monsoons in the
past. Since many years, we observe that extreme weather events in the region as
heavy rains and violent floods have seriously affected the life and livelihood
to a great extent. The super fast changing climates’ devastating effects are
persistent in Gilgit_Baltistan. The glaciers are melting very fast and the
violent torrents ruined the number of villages in all over the GB.
Science has already confirmed Pakistan’s vulnerability to
climatic extremes. Over the past 50 years, cold spells have been decreasing
across the county wide. Another comprehensive study on future climatic extremes
by researchers of the Global Change Impact Studies Centre (GCISC) shows the
increasing risk in future extreme events in terms of intensity and frequency
across Pakistan. The magnitude and frequency of temperature extremes is
increasing – which may occur frequently in the future.
It is worthwhile to note that the
temperature extremes are more devastating in the region. Recently a havoc flood
destroyed each and every thing at Badh-Swad village of district Ghizer where
more than thirty houses and a large number of their cultivable land have been
flooded. Last night ferocious land sliding ruined number of villages as Sher
Qila, Bargo, Jutal and many other villages in Baltistan region are badly
affected ones. The hapless people are living as nomads. The People are
helplessly waiting Gov,t for wounding their miseries but the heedless gov,t’s
measurements are unsatisfactory. We are thankful to army for their support and
helping of flooded people.
After 18th amendment, the
subjects of environment have been delegated to provinces. Therefore it is dire
need of time that provincial gov,t should take immediate steps to reduce this
vulnerability. Gov,t should develop a climate-resilient infrastructure that can
withstand unpredictable weather events. Some hard mitigation options could
include: Climate resilient irrigation system; efficient water supply and sewage
system; Upgrade water shed management; High-standard transportation system and Sustainable
infrastructure. There is also some soft mitigation options could include: awareness
raising activities; capacity building training for locals and through seminars
and workshops; increase support for community and encourage role of media to
creating awareness among the locals.
Writer info
Iftikhar Akhter
The writer is a CSS aspirant at KIPS
and could be reached through aliumer2025@gmail.com
Comments
Post a Comment