Islamabad, 21 March 2025(Nosheen): With glaciers melting at an alarming rate due to climate change, global action has never been more urgent. Recognizing the critical need for conservation, the United Nations has declared 2025 as the “International year of Glacier’s Preservation”, accompanied by the proclamation of March 21 as the annual World Day for Glaciers starting in 2025.
Pakistan’s Hindukash-Karakoram-Himalayan (HKH) region is a crucial glacial reservoir, often referred to as the “Third Pole” for its significant ice concentration outside the polar regions. Home to more than 6,500 glaciers covering approx. 13,000 square kilometers, these ice reserves are vital for sustaining the Indus River System, which supports agriculture, drinking water, and hydropower generation in Pakistan.
To address the challenges posed by climate change, SUPARCO, the National Space Agency of Pakistan, has established dedicated center for Glacier Monitoring and Research in Gilgit-Baltistan. This center actively studies glacier surges, retreats, snow melts, and Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs), contributing to national climate resilience efforts. A first-of-its-kind digital ‘Glacier Inventory of Pakistan” has also been developed, documenting all glaciers along with their essential parameters
SUPARCO is leveraging advanced space technologies to monitor glacier health, ice cover changes, and climate impacts across the country. By analyzing satellite imagery dating back to 1972, alongside ground-based measurements such as ice core extraction, glacier mass balance studies, and field-based assessments, SUPARCO provides critical insights into glacial dynamics, water resources, and climate adaptation strategies.
Additionally, Pakistan is participating in the international Ice Memory Project, aimed at preserving crucial glacial ice samples for future research. Given that glaciers are melting rapidly due to climate change, this initiative ensures that scientific data is preserved for centuries in Antarctica, allowing future generations to study historical climate patterns and their long-term impacts.
SUPARCO remains committed to raising awareness and providing scientific data to mitigate the effects of climate change on glaciers. As Pakistan faces increasing risks from water scarcity and glacial hazards, space-based monitoring and international collaboration are crucial in formulating effective conservation strategies.