As the world marks World Glacier Day, climate experts are expressing grave concerns over the rapid melting of glaciers in Azad Kashmir’s Neelum Valley. With 224 glaciers covering 109 square kilometers, the region faces the threat of losing these vital ice reserves due to rising temperatures linked to climate change.
Dr. Sardar Muhammad Rafiq, a climate expert, warned that temperatures in Azad Kashmir have risen more than the global average, with a two-degree Celsius increase over the past 60 years. If this trend continues, he cautioned, all glaciers in the region could disappear within the next 50 years. These glaciers are crucial, supplying 80% of the area’s clean water.
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Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif echoed these concerns, stressing the importance of glacier preservation for life on Earth. In his message, he urged collective global action to save these natural resources, emphasizing the role glaciers play in providing clean water and maintaining ecosystems.
Pakistan, home to more than 13,000 glaciers, is witnessing the rapid melting of over 10,000 due to climate change, increasing the risk of severe natural disasters. PM Sharif highlighted the 2022 floods as a stark reminder of the climate threats Pakistan faces and called on the international community for greater support.
