Gilgit-Baltistan is witnessing the visible impacts of climate change, affecting glaciers, agriculture, infrastructure, and the daily lives of local communities. With over 7,000 glaciers, the region sits on the frontline of Pakistan’s climate crisis.
Rising temperatures over the past two decades have accelerated glacier melt across the Karakoram and Himalayan ranges, creating unstable glacial lakes that threaten downstream villages with sudden floods.
Recent incidents in Hassanabad, Badswat, Golkin, and Ghulkin highlight how quickly lives, homes, and livelihoods can be destroyed.
Changing weather patterns are adding to the strain. Winters have become shorter and erratic, while summers are extending, affecting agriculture.
Farmers in Hunza, Ghizer, Astore, and Nagar report early blooming of apricot, cherry, and apple trees, making crops vulnerable to sudden cold spells and reducing yields. Water availability has become unpredictable, forcing adjustments in farming schedules.
The region’s geography also makes it prone to landslides and flash floods, which have intensified in recent years. The Karakoram Highway, a key economic route, is repeatedly blocked by climate-driven events, disrupting trade, tourism, and supply chains.
Prolonged valley isolation has undermined economic stability for families reliant on agriculture and tourism.
Social structures are also being affected. Displacement caused by disasters breaks ties to cultural traditions, while floods increase the risk of waterborne diseases and extreme temperatures strain public health.
Experts stress that local communities must play a key role in adaptation. Protecting forests, managing water efficiently, and preventing pollution are essential to strengthening resilience.
Community-led forest management, repairing traditional water channels, building small storage ponds, and adopting climate-smart agriculture—such as drip irrigation and climate-resilient crops—can reduce vulnerabilities.
Youth engagement is particularly important. Environmental advocacy, research, and community mobilisation by younger generations can accelerate local action.
Citizens are also urged to hold institutions accountable for policies protecting forests, regulating construction, and promoting climate-resilient infrastructure.
Gilgit-Baltistan’s glaciers are crucial to Pakistan’s water supply, feeding the Indus River and supporting millions downstream.
Experts warn that immediate action at both community and governmental levels is necessary to safeguard the region’s fragile mountain ecosystem for future generations.
