ISLAMABAD – Experts have urged the government to raise awareness about the Karakoram Anomaly and the ecology of mountain communities in order to preserve the required ecological harmony.
This was the core of the interaction between experts on Karakoram Anomaly that took place at Saturday’s National Press Club.
Experts believe that the 1.5-degree Celsius global temperature rise predicted for 2040s could be realized, 10 years earlier than previously projected. A slight rise in global temperature could prove disastrous for large parts of the population, particularly those who live in mountainous areas.
Khan Faraz, among other experts, stated that Pakistan was home to more than 71,000 glaciers. The mixed behaviours of these glaciers meant that the south- and east-facing glaciers were melting faster than those facing north.
The Karakoram Anomaly maintains that the Karakoram mountain range glaciers are either stable or surging. The glaciers were melting at an overall faster rate. Khan Faraz maintained that mountain ecosystems cannot be isolated from other ecosystems, as there are downstream and upstream connections.
Mountains are also an important source for water and livelihoods, not only in mountainous areas, but also in downstream river basins.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2021
