Chief Minister of Gilgit-Baltistan, Amjad Hussain, has stated that the region’s glaciers serve as a crucial water reservoir for Pakistan, and that collective, practical measures—at both national and international levels—are essential for their preservation.
Speaking at the ‘Mountain Women Climate Award 2026’ ceremony, he remarked that the impacts of climate change in Gilgit-Baltistan have become a harsh reality; glacial lake outbursts and flash floods are continuously damaging human settlements, agricultural lands, and infrastructure.
The Chief Minister noted that Gilgit-Baltistan, situated at the confluence of three of the world’s major mountain ranges, is home to approximately 8,000 glaciers. Many settlements in the region are located downstream from these glaciers, where floods triggered by glacial lake outbursts affect hundreds of families every year.
He stated that nearly 1,000 households are impacted annually—with homes and crops destroyed—requiring the government to mobilize significant resources for the rehabilitation and resettlement of those affected.
According to Amjad Hussain, climate-related disasters also damage roads, power plants, schools, and other essential infrastructure. Billions of rupees are spent annually on their repair and restoration, placing further strain on the region’s limited development resources. The Chief Minister stated that, previously, there was no dedicated institution for the protection of glaciers and the study of risks associated with them; in light of this, the Glacier Protection Authority was established.
He emphasized the need to scientifically understand the impacts of climate change on glaciers located at varying altitudes and to implement protective measures accordingly. To this end, the Authority should establish effective linkages with national and international research institutions.
The Chief Minister also stressed the importance of incorporating traditional knowledge and practices—such as ‘glacier grafting’ (the local technique of propagating or ‘transplanting’ glaciers)—into research and conservation efforts.
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