Shrinking glaciers: A threat to ecological balance, clean drinking water
KALAM (APP): Asim Ali, a 55-year-old resident of Oshu village in Upper Kalam, watched helplessly as water surged into his stone house, a result of the rising River Swat.
The recent flooding, triggered by the accelerated melting of glaciers combined with heavy rains, forced many villagers to hastily place sandbags around their homes in an attempt to stem the gushing water and salvage belongings.
“The water flow in River Swat has been increasing every summer due to the rapid melting of glaciers and erratic rainfalls,” said Asim, who was rebuilding the outer wall of his house that was washed away by the floodwaters.
Transporting stones on donkeys from nearby mountains, Asim and his family are trying to restore their damaged home. He recalled a time when glaciers were much closer to the village. “Our streams used to flow steadily. Now, they either dry up or flood unpredictably,” he said.
He blamed illegal construction, glaciers melting, encroachment, and deforestation for amplifying the river’s velocity and destructive power.
For generations, villagers like Asim have mostly relied on glacier fed irrigation to cultivate crops such as wheat, barley, peaches, and apricots. But changing water patterns have made farming increasingly uncertain. “We now depend on rain, which is rarely sufficient. Sometimes, we lose entire crops to drought or sudden floods,” he lamented.
The threat from melting glaciers, for Asim’s community, is more than environmental—it’s existential. “If the glaciers vanish, how will we survive? How will we feed our families?” he asked, his voice tinged with despair.
Adding to their woes, the region’s forests are under strain. “Climate change is disrupting plant growth. Native species are struggling, while invasive ones are spreading,” he added, urging for small dam projects and large-scale afforestation to conserve water and reduce flood risks.
Swat’s glaciers are vital to the Indus River system and its tributaries, supplying clean water to millions and sustaining the region’s fragile ecosystem. However, their rapid retreat due to global warming is posing a grave threat.
“As temperatures rise, glaciers are receding at an alarming rate, triggering ecological, social, and economic consequences,” said Prof. Dr. Shafiqur Rehman, former Chairman of the Environmental Sciences Department at the University of Peshawar, in a conversation with APP.
Pakistan hosts over 7,253 glaciers—more than anywhere outside the polar regions. Notable among them are Baltoro (63 km), Biafo (67 km), and Batura (57 km) in Gilgit-Baltistan, as well as nearly 500 glaciers in Upper Chitral’s Tirich Mir range, which feed major rivers such as the Swat, Panjkora, Kabul, and Indus.
“Our irrigation systems depend heavily on these glaciers,” said Dr. Rehman. “But with rapid population growth and shrinking glaciers, Pakistan faces an impending water crisis—and by extension, food insecurity.”
Citing the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), he noted that the Himalayan region is warming faster than the global average. Some glaciers are losing up to five meters in thickness each year. Since glaciers act as natural reservoirs, storing water and releasing it gradually, their accelerated melting is upsetting this balance.
Dr. Rehman, who has spent over a decade researching the region’s glaciers, warned, “If the current trend continues, we could lose up to 60% of our glaciers by the end of the century.”
Beyond water shortages, glacier melt increases the risk of natural disasters like glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs). These lakes, often held back by fragile natural dams, can burst due to minor earthquakes or temperature spikes, causing catastrophic flooding downstream.
To counter these threats, Dr. Rehman emphasized both global and local action: “We need to cut greenhouse gas emissions worldwide, but we also need reforestation, better water management, and early warning systems for GLOFs at the community level.”
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the impact is already being felt through erratic water availability, biodiversity loss, and the formation of dangerous glacial lakes. Swat, once dubbed the “Switzerland of Pakistan,” has witnessed multiple disasters—including a flood that swept away 18 tourists.
Glacial retreat is also undermining tourism. “With glaciers shrinking, trekking routes are vanishing, and tourist numbers are declining,” Dr. Rehman explained. He recalled Baltoro Glacier once being a prime destination for adventurers. “Now, it’s dangerous to cross and parts of it are inaccessible.”
This decline threatens local economies in regions like Swat, Chitral, and Gilgit-Baltistan, where many families depend on tourism for their livelihoods. Moreover, Swat’s unique alpine flora and fauna, adapted to cold, high-altitude conditions, are at risk of extinction as glaciers vanish.
Despite the challenges, hope remains. Local and international organizations are working together on sustainable solutions. Initiatives include installing early warning systems for GLOFs and launching reforestation projects to improve water retention and reduce erosion.
Given the far-reaching consequences of glacial retreat—from agriculture and tourism to water supply and biodiversity—Pakistan urgently needs effective adaptation and prevention strategies.
Dr. Rehman praised national efforts, particularly large-scale afforestation programs, which have gained international recognition. He expressed optimism that the UN’s COP27 climate fund would soon be operational, with Pakistan receiving a significant share due to its high vulnerability.
