Illegal Glacier Harvesting Threatens Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Ecosystem Amid Climate Crisis

(MENAFN- Tribal News Network) Pakistan is a beautiful country, particularly known for the natural wonders in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa that resemble a paradise on earth.

Apart from the polar regions like Antarctica, Pakistan hosts the highest number of glaciers in the world, with around 7,000 glaciers, out of which 3,000 are in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Pakistan also boasts three major mountain ranges: the Karakoram, the Himalayas, and the Hindu Kush.

According to the federal Ministry of Climate Change and the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), a regional intergovernmental organization serving eight member countries in the Hindu Kush-Himalaya region, including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, and Pakistan, the glaciers in the Hindu Kush and Himalayas could shrink by up to 80% by the end of this century due to rising temperatures.

Northern areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, such as Chitral, Upper Dir, Shangla, Kaghan, and Naran, are home to glaciers. However, illegal harvesting and selling of glacier ice pose a significant threat to the environment and climate of the province, violating the environmental protection laws of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Gulbadin, a 46-year-old resident of Darosh in Chitral, shared his experience: "I bring ice from Lowari Top early in the morning and sell it to shopkeepers in areas like Dir, Timergara, and Chitral. It's not easy; we have to cut it with axes and transport it in vehicles. This ice is different from regular ice and is cheaper. We clean it before selling. The profit isn't much, but we have to do something to survive in these tough times."

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Similar to northern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the tribal district of Kurram also has glaciers. Climate change expert and local journalist Adnan Haider explained that snowfall in Kurram used to start in November, but in recent years, it has been starting in December and sometimes lasting until April.

Adnan Haider highlighted the importance of glacier water for agriculture in the region: "As the summer starts, locals go to the mountains, collect ice on donkeys, mules, and vehicles, and sell it in different areas of Parachinar. The water from these glaciers flows down as springs and streams, irrigating agricultural lands. This water is essential for growing fruits and vegetables that are beneficial for health. For instance, beetroot from Kurram, famous across Pakistan, is a product of this glacier water."

Discussing the illegal harvesting of glacier ice, legal expert and climate change advocate Tariq Afghan stated, "Initially, we didn't consider this issue significant, but as awareness about environmental protection increased and the entire region became more affected by climate change, we began taking urgent measures to address this problem."

Efforts to address this crucial issue have gained international attention, such as the Paris Agreement. In Pakistan, the Environmental Protection Act was enacted in 1997, and in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, it was established in 2014.

Tariq Afghan has submitted a complaint to the Director-General of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, but has not received a response after more than a month. He mentioned writing an article for Dawn newspaper, which received considerable recognition: "I will soon file a writ petition in the Peshawar High Court regarding this issue because the government's lack of attention is regrettable."

Afghan noted that Pakistan is facing an environmental crisis. The government has established policies and laws, but their implementation is lacking. Pakistan is failing to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 13 on climate action. The absence of clear laws for protecting seasonal snowfall and glaciers is alarming.

On the other hand, Deputy Director of the EPA Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Afsar Khan, emphasized the significance of glaciers for the environment, serving as feeders for streams and rivers: "However, I want to clarify that there is a difference between glaciers and snow. When snowfall accumulates over a year, it transforms into glaciers. These glaciers are hard and contain rocks and sand particles formed over thousands of years. Seasonal snow lasts for about a year and melts away."

Regarding the illegal harvesting of glaciers, Afsar Khan stated that Section 6 of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Environmental Protection Act 2014 addresses the issue: "If large quantities of glaciers are illegally harvested, action can be taken as it affects biodiversity and contributes to climate change."

The United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has warned that most cities and settlements worldwide are unprepared for extreme weather conditions. To protect human lives and prevent financial losses, sustainable construction practices must be promoted.

As Pakistan grapples with the climate crisis, enforcing existing environmental laws and promoting sustainable practices is essential to safeguard its natural treasures and ensure a resilient future for its people.

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