Minister for Climate Change Sherry Rehman launches ‘Fading Vistas’ Book in partnership with UNDP Pakistan

Islamabad : (Adnan hameed)“These mountains and glaciers, known as the Third Pole of the world, have endured millennia of change and have steadfastly stood their ground. However, due to the business-as-usual approach leading to their rapid melting, we are now unable to predict how they will appear by the end of this century,” said Senator Sherry Rehman, Federal Minister for Climate Change & Environmental Coordination. The Minister delivered the keynote address at the coffee book launch organized by the UNDP in partnership with MoCC&EC under the GLOF-II project. The book, titled "Fading Vistas: Beauty of Northern Pakistan," is a captivating montage of photographs showcasing the landscapes, lakes, and mountains of Pakistan's Northern region. Minister Rehman expressed deep appreciation to UNDP for their unwavering support to the Ministry, particularly regarding the GLOF-II project, and extended a warm welcome to the newly appointed UNDP's Resident Representative, Samuel Rizk. In her remarks on the book, Minister Rehman stated, “We are moving towards a reality in which our glaciers, our forests, our valleys, and our mountains may not exist raises a catastrophic alarm which should not just compel us to take affective climate action, but to also seize the present moment in which, we as inhabitants of the Earth can pledge that we may never let such a frightful reality take course. We must realize that if these natural sights are endangered by human activity, so are all life forms, including us humans.” Minister Rehman emphasized that while the book serves as a testament to Pakistan's stunning glaciers, she also stressed that it serves a more significant purpose - it is a compelling call to action to protect Pakistan’s natural capital, as they are currently under severe pressure due to unchecked development and waste pollution. “Litter has now reached a critical mass, even polluting the highest and most remote peaks that were once pristine. These areas, which are often the face of tourism in Pakistan, must undergo a transformation towards eco-tourism. Human activities and developments cannot continue unchecked and unregulated. We cannot simply expect nature to provide endlessly without active participation on our part. The destruction of marshlands, wetlands, and deforestation in places like Chitral have removed crucial natural barriers, making recent floods far deadlier. We must acknowledge that these events are no longer solely "natural disasters" but are primarily man-made disasters. It is our collective responsibility to exercise greater vigilance and care for our environment,” said the Minister. The Minister emphasized that the GLOF-II project represents a significant milestone in Pakistan's climate adaptation journey, and its successful implementation has already saved lives and livestock through Early Warning Systems (EWS). However, the recurrence of GLOF events necessitates the importance of learning from them. “While EWS can help save lives, it cannot protect infrastructure that is easily destroyed when faced with the force of a glacial lake burst. This highlights the urgency for spatial planning and the need to draw lessons from nature. It's crucial to avoid constructing infrastructure in areas vulnerable to such disasters, including waterways. By learning from past events, we can better prepare for the future and minimize the impact of natural disasters on both lives and infrastructure,” the Minister concluded.