By C.R. Akbar Shah
June 6 is observed throughout the world as World Environment Day. Governments and organizations celebrate the day by conducting a number of activities, e.g. walks, seminars, etc. Astonishingly, not a single activity was conducted by the PTI government in Gb in connection with World Environment Day. Department of Environment was not bothered to even issue a press release on this important day.
Natural calamities stemming from pollution, global warming, and climate change loom large in Gilgit-Baltistan. According to experts, Gilgit-Baltistan is in the red zone of climate-induced disasters which demands urgent steps to deal with resultant emergencies.
In the face of environmental challenges, the criminal negligence of the GB government is a big question mark. Ironically, the provincial government is unprepared and without any mechanism put in place to deal with climate change-triggered disasters.
According to experts, Gilgit-Baltistan is awaiting disastrous floods owing to glacial outbursts in the coming days. The recent outburst of the shishper glacier in Hunza is a beneficial example that eroded a major part of Hasanabad village thereby damaging buildings, bridges, agricultural land, and property of the local populace. Similarly, the Sosat glacier in the Ghizer district of GB is also said to be on the verge of outbursts.
With the meltdown of glaciers at an increasing rate, the level of water in glacial lakes is also increasing thus creating a very dangerous situation. A small amount of rainfall can cause glacial outbursts resulting in unprecedented flooding, landslide, and avalanches in a region with a fragile economy.
Pastures, green belts, and low-lying areas are now vulnerable to climate change-triggered disasters. Similarly, the local population, Karakoram Highway, and Hydel Power Stations built on streams, water channels irrigating valleys, connecting bridges, standing crops, and orchards all are threatened by climate change-triggered disasters.
Given the environmental challenges, it is very important to utilize available resources to act practically. The authorities need to wake up and start working in this regard on an emergency basis. The federal government is also not negligent of the challenges faced by GB. It should ensure the provision of required resources i.e. finances, technology, machinery, and trained staff to deal with any emergency.
The writer is Gilgit-Baltistan based journalist associated with local and national level newspapers.
