Introduction
The Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) of Pakistan formerly known as Northern
Areas (NA) of Pakistan has a unique and vital role in sustainable
development of Pakistan. GB has small geographic range of an area
of 72,971 km² (28,174 mi²), lying in the extreme north of Pakistan
(75 08 48.12 E & 37 00 47.33 N to 77 41 11.82 E & 35 27
26.06 N) (Khan 2012). Nature has gifted this area with high
mountainous ranges, massive glaciers, glorious rivers and
splendid
valleys..
Bio Diversity
Gilgit-Baltistan is rich for biological diversity. It contains most
important forests, extensive mineral resources and host for many
endangered species of the world. The Gilgit-Baltistan is dominated
by one of the most important landscape on the world.
Mountain Ranges
Glaciers of G-B
With Northern Pakistan being home to 5,218 glaciers and 2420
glacial lakes – 52 of which have been classified as
potentially dangerous-
It's nearly impossible to overstate the threat of climate
change.
Global warming will have catastrophic effects such as accelerating
sea level rise, droughts, floods, storms and heat waves. These will
impact some of the
52 glacial lakes termed dangerous
The Baltoro Glacier is 62 kilometers long and it is one of
the longest glaciers outside outside the Polar Regions.
Retreating Himalayas
Glacial retreat is a phenomenon that scientists normally attribute
to global warming; it is caused by an increase in the atmospheric
concentration of greenhouse gases due to human activities such as
deforestation.
Rivers in Pakistan
Climate change and Floods in the area
Gilgit-Baltistan has suffered extensive flooding since June
2013, though this has been caused not so much be heavy-rainfall in
the area as by high temperature leading to increased runoff from
melting glaciers.
Landslides are a common problem after severe weather
events, as excess pore water pressure can overcome cohesion in soil
and sediments, allowing them to flow like liquids.
Human Activities are main cause of snow melting
At 5,653 meters above sea level, two nuclear armed rival
Pakistan and India are battling at Siachen, in the mountain
glaciers of Gilgit-Baltistan. By now the war cost 5000 lives
on both sides in additions to billions of dollars on each
side on military extravaganzas at Siachen.
Forests
Overall Pakistan forest resources are limited, covering only 4.8
percent of total land area, which is far below the optimal standard
of 25%, forest cover for a country.
continues unabated
Climate change and loss of capital
In the last 20 years 140 climate-change triggered events in
Pakistan had lead to an average of 500 deaths every year and a loss
of $200 million to the country’s economy.
In the last 120 years, the average temperature had risen by 2
degrees Celsius globally. The temperature in Pakistan had
risen by 0.57 degrees Celsius.
Harsh Facts
There are studies that by 2035, glaciers feeding the Indus
will disappear and they are fast melting and
water conservation is the need of the hour for Pakistan to
ensure enough water is available for future generation.
The extreme weather calamities caused Pakistan losses worth
0.7% of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) over 20
years.
Impact of climate change on livelihoods
Livelihoods are becoming sensitive to climate change. The people of
the region earn their livings from agriculture sector which is
vulnerable to the negative impacts of climate change.
Fluctuations in climate factor, temperature, humidity, increased
CO2 level, flooding and land sliding are the factors affecting
agricultural productivity.
Rising temperature and humidity is leading to insect/pest sun born
disease outbreaks.
Pre and post harvest losses (reduced quantity and quality in fruits
and vegetables)
Impact On Health Conditions
The markhor is an endangered species of wild
goat that is natively found in the mountainous regions of
Gilgit-Baltistan. The decline in markhor population
numbers in mainly due to deforestation resulting in the loss
of their native habitats.
Marco polo Sheep
Recommendations:
Communities of GB are prone and poor, they are unable to response
such massive destructive events caused by climate change such as
floods and droughts.
There should be long term projects or community based
disaster risk management, adaptations and
mitigation enhancing activities to save life livelihoods,
ecosystems, biodiversity and infrastructure of Gilgit-
Baltistan.
Recommendations
Advocating a new international climate agreement – one
that is just and legally binding
Promoting energy efficiency – the most rapid and
cost-effective way to reduce CO2 emissions
Promoting renewable energy sources – like wind, solar,
and geothermal power
Preventing greenhouse gas emissions from deforestation
– currently responsible for 20% of all emissions
Developing and promoting climate change adaptation
strategies– to safeguard the most
vulnerable people and the most exposed ecosystems.
