PESHAWAR: Secretary for Climate Change, Forests, Environment and Wildlife, Junaid Khan, on Friday emphasized the vital role glaciers play in sustaining water, food, and livelihoods for millions, and pledged pragmatic steps to protect the province’s fragile mountain ecosystems. He called on all institutions and communities to join hands in maintaining the balance of mountain ecosystems, which have supported life, livelihoods, and heritage for centuries and will continue to do so for generations to come. DLP Report
Speaking on the occasion of International Mountain Day, Khan highlighted the urgent need for science-based management and community engagement to safeguard these natural treasures amid rapidly changing climatic conditions.
“Glaciers are not just scenic landscapes, they are living systems. They nurture biodiversity, irrigate rivers, protect forests, shelter wildlife, and sustain the livelihoods of our communities,” he said.
Khan added that in the dry temperate regions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, glaciers and glacial springs form the lifeblood of waterways that irrigate farmlands, nourish forests, and sustain life in remote settlements.
This year, marking the International Year of Glacier Conservation, has drawn global attention to the urgent challenge of glacier melt due to climate change.
The rapid retreat of glaciers has put these ecosystems under unprecedented threat.
In response, he added, the provincial government reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening science-based management, watershed protection, ecological restoration, and community-based conservation strategies.
“Today’s commitment is a trust for future generations,” Khan said, urging governments, local communities, and development partners to work together to protect the province’s mountains, glaciers, and land.
