According to World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), Pakistan has dropped from 8th to 5th place globally in terms of vulnerability to climate change, raising serious concerns. “Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Provinces are the areas most vulnerable to climate change due to their rich natural environment,”.
In the event held at Abbottabad Press Club, Nisar Ahmad, Manager Communications at WWF Pakistan has emphasized that glaciers are being severely impacted by climate change, with increased rainfall leading to floods in country. He stressed the urgent need for measures to store rainwater.
He pointed out that some of the key causes of climate change are the expanding road networks and ongoing construction on agricultural lands, which have been reducing water reserves.
To address these challenges, Ahmad has underscored the importance of water storage initiatives. He suggested that rainwater collected from rooftops could help recharge underground water supplies.
He said that under the “Water Accountability Project”, work is being done in over 100 villages across 17 districts, including 10 in Gilgit-Baltistan, 6 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and one in Punjab to increase underground water reserves.
Other speakers at the event discussed the worsening effects of climate change in Gilgit-Baltistan underscored that since 2010, the effects of climate change are deepening in Gilgit, due to which the loss is estimated to be more than the annual development budget.
“The delay in development projects, caused by Gilgit-Baltistan’s financial crisis has led to the displacement of hundreds of people,” they added.
The speakers also emphasized the critical role of media in raising awareness about climate change and advocating for remedial actions. They acknowledged the role of Abbottabad newspapers in highlighting the challenges faced by Gilgit-Baltistan and promoting climate-related journalistic efforts.
In a significant move, on the occasion, WWF Pakistan and Abbottabad Union of Journalist have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with WWF Pakistan.
