Pakistan’s Third Pole Is Disappearing

Pakistan's Gilgit-Baltistan region, often referred to as the 'Third Pole' due to its extensive glaciation, is experiencing the disappearance of its more than 7,000 glaciers. These glaciers are crucial as they feed the Indus River system, which is the primary water source for the entire country downstream, sustaining its population and agriculture. The region's frozen wealth, covering approximately a quarter of its land area with glaciers and permanent snow, is rapidly diminishing. This phenomenon, likely driven by climate change, poses a severe threat to Pakistan's water security, agricultural productivity, and overall environmental stability, impacting millions of people who depend on the Indus River.