By: Muzamil Hussain (Student of Biological Sciences)
“A city is not beautiful by itself; it is made beautiful.” – Hazrat Ali (A.S)
A comprehensive strategy to address climate change in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) requires a multi-faceted approach involving various stakeholders, sectors, and active community participation.
Located in the northernmost part of Pakistan, Gilgit-Baltistan is blessed with breathtaking natural beauty—towering peaks, snow-capped mountains, lush green valleys, rich biodiversity, and invaluable ecological resources. However, the impacts of climate change are threatening this paradise. Rising temperatures, melting glaciers, habitat loss, shifting seasonal patterns, and an increase in waterborne and foodborne diseases are already evident. These changes not only endanger the region’s agriculture and tourism-based economy but also pose long-term risks to Pakistan’s overall socio-economic stability. Irregular precipitation patterns, frequent landslides, and seasonal imbalances have been recorded. Many species are migrating to more stable environments, while some face extinction.
Gilgit-Baltistan experiences four distinct seasons, each lasting roughly three months, contributing to its ecological richness and agricultural productivity:
- Winter (December–February): Extremely cold, with temperatures ranging from –20°C to –10°C.
- Spring (March–May): Mild and pleasant, with temperatures between 10°C and 20°C.
- Summer (June–August): Warm, with temperatures between 20°C and 30°C.
- Autumn (September–November): Cool, with temperatures between 10°C and 20°C.
Major causes of climate change are overpopulation and resource depletion, pollution, deforestation and urbanization, greenhouse gases and ozone depletion:
As Thomas Malthus observed, “Population grows exponentially, while resources grow arithmetically.” Overpopulation puts immense pressure on natural resources, leading to unsustainable exploitation. Those with greater access to resources thrive, while others are left behind, creating ecological imbalance. Water pollution from garbage dumping into rivers destroys aquatic life. Air pollution from vehicles and factories contributes to global warming. Plastic pollution traps heat and harms ecosystems. Noise and radiation pollution disrupt wildlife and human health. Urban expansion, overgrazing, and tree cutting increase CO₂ levels, contributing to global warming. Without vegetation to absorb excess carbon, the greenhouse effect intensifies. Emissions of CFCs, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and methane from vehicles, industry, and agriculture trap heat, deplete the ozone layer, and cause acid rain, damaging health, agriculture, and biodiversity.
Major effects of climate change in GB are glacial lake outburst flood and flash flooding, health risks, threats to biodiversity and agriculture decline:
GB hosts some of the largest glaciers outside the polar regions—Baltoro, Batura, Biafo, and Siachen. Rising temperatures are accelerating their melt, creating unstable lakes that can burst and cause devastating floods. Warmer temperatures facilitate the spread of vector-borne diseases like malaria and dengue, along with respiratory illnesses and skin disorders from UV exposure. Mental health challenges such as anxiety and depression are also increasing due to displacement, crop failures, and economic hardship. Habitat loss from floods, droughts, and temperature changes forces species migration or extinction, weakening the ecosystem’s resilience. Erratic rainfall, droughts, and shorter growing seasons reduce crop yields and increase plant diseases, directly threatening food security and livelihoods.
Remedies and Adaptation strategies are community-based climate change management (CCMGBI), reforestation and afforestation, 4Rs strategy, pest-proof waste bins, education and public awareness, sustainable agriculture and policy as well as infrastructure support.
Involve local communities, traditional knowledge, and government support for early warning systems, disaster preparedness, and resilience building. Launch large-scale tree-planting drives to act as carbon sinks, reduce erosion, and prevent floods. The 4Rs – recycle, reuse, recover and rebuild to promote waste reduction and eco-friendly alternatives like biodegradable cloth bags. Install the pest-proof waste bins to reduce disease spread through proper waste management. Spread education and public awareness include climate education in school curricula and conduct awareness campaigns. Introduce climate-resilient crops, organic farming, and water-efficient irrigation (e.g., drip systems). Invest in flood barriers, glacier monitoring, climate-resilient urban planning, and renewable energy projects.
If these measures succeed, they could spark a “White Revolution” in GB—one that restores balance to its fragile ecosystem.
A call to action: Recent unusual weather patterns—rain in January and snow in March (2025)—are clear warnings. Almost daily, news emerges of climate-related disasters in different districts of GB. Ignoring these signs will only worsen the crisis. The time to act is now—through responsibility, cooperation, and determination. By hook or by crook, we must protect the Roof of the World.
