Policy-makers in the government, environmental experts and business community should jointly formulate a comprehensive climate resilience strategy as Indus Delta is shrinking rapidly in the northern parts of the country as extreme heat is accelerating glacier melting at an alarming pace. Talking to newsmen here Sunday, SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry former president
Iftikhar Ali Malik said that Indus Delta, once considered one of the world’s richest ecological zones, is facing continuous degradation due to declining freshwater flows, sea intrusion and environmental negligence.
Rising temperatures in the Himalayan and Karakoram mountain ranges are causing glaciers to melt faster than expected, increasing the risk of floods, water mismanagement and ecological imbalance. He cautioned that unchecked melting of glaciers could ultimately reduce the long-term availability of freshwater, severely affecting agriculture, food security and millions of livelihoods linked with Indus River system. He warned that shrinking wetlands and loss of mangrove forests are damaging marine life and threatening coastal communities dependent on fishing and agriculture. Malik said that Pakistan contributes minimally to global carbon emissions but remains among the countries most vulnerable to climate-related disasters. He called upon developed nations and international financial institutions to extend technical and financial support to developing countries facing severe climate challenges. SAARC Chamber’s former president urged the policymakers, environmental experts and the business community to jointly formulate a comprehensive climate resilience strategy with major focus on water conservation projects, afforestation campaigns, modern irrigation systems and investment in renewable energy to mitigate environmental damage. He said that climate change has emerged as one of the serious threats to Pakistan’s environmental and economic stability, demanding immediate national and regional action. He suggested, “Timely preventive measures, public awareness and regional cooperation are essential to protect natural resources and ensure sustainable economic growth for future generations.”