Is Global warming also effects on Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) region and its Glaciers .
BY : ADNAN ULLAH
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 a small geographic range of an area
of 72,971 km² (28,174 m² ), lying in the
extreme north of Pakistan. Nature has gifted this area with high mountainous
ranges, Massive Glaciers, Glorious Rivers and Splendid valleys. Gilgit-Baltistan
serves as a major water catchment for the Indus River Basin (IRB) upon which
major part of Pakistan depends for hydroelectrically and for irrigation
proposes. GB is Famous for its tourist
locations. It is home to five of the peaks with height above eight
thousand meters and to more than fifty peaks above 7000 meters . Some of
the world’s highest mountain ranges like Karakoram and Western Himalayas lies
in Gilgit-Baltistan. Biafo glacier, Baltoro glacier and Batura glacier, which are three of the world’s
longest glaciers, are found in this region.
If we talk about Rainfall pattern in this region the recent
acceleration in rainfall pattern resulted the ever worst destruction due to
floods (2010) in Pakistan. Many Watershed models, capable of incorporating the
climate change scenarios have been developed in this regard to predict the
future flows. But it is not easy to select the most appropriate model for a
particular watershed to get the best results.
Global
Warming has a greater impacts on GB rivers and its Glaciers. because of
the global temperature increases and anthropogenic
activities it also effects GB glaciers.
Glaciers are the most sensitive
precursors of climate change due to natural and anthropogenic reasons. Using
meteorological and hydrological data in combination with remote sensing data
from various sources, the Isothermic dynamics of heat in upslope direction was
evaluavated on pentad basis. It revealed that 30°C isotherm has creeped upward
by 725m higher elevation than 28 years before. Frequency and duration of heat
waves both have increased by two fold. The rate of increased since 1990 has
also been doubled resulting into frequent occurrence of severe thunderstorms
and lightening events. As an example of anthropogenic change in climate, ever
fastest rate of glacial depletion is presented on Siachen glacier which has
lost about 2km of its length and 17% of ice mass since 1989.
In
recent report (2019) GilgitBaltistan Disaster Management Authority
(GBDMA) reported that a heavy land sliding is at Bulbul-kashk opposite to
shishkatcentre which slided down to Khunjarabriver.It has been stated that It
will slide again.
Building
on collaborations on disaster management in GilgitBaltistan in 2017, the
International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), the
GilgitBaltistan Disaster Management Authority (GB-DMA), and the Aga Khan Agency
for Habitat (AKAH) have reinforced their commitment to improve disaster risk
management in GilgitBaltistan, Pakistan, by joining hands to develop the
Disaster Risk Management Plan of GilgitBaltistan.
ICIMOD, AKAH, and GB-DMA signed a tripartite
agreement at a partnership-signing ceremony in Islamabad on 27 February 2018.
The team also discussed the glacier monitoring and hazard management activity
progress. AKAH and GB-DMA committed to developing a mechanism for the
sustainable operation, repair, and maintenance and ownership of the community
based flood early warning system (CBFEWS) installed in GilgitBaltistan.
ADNAN
ULLAH (AD)
Done Bachelors (BS) in Environmental science from International
Islamic university Islamabad.
Email;
adnanullah863@gmail.com
 region and its Glaciers . BY : ADNAN ULLAH (AD)){kind=link}
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