Punjab University Marks International Mountain Day, Calls for Glacier Protection
By Farzana Chaudhry | Lahore, Pakistan LAHORE – The Centre for Integrated Mountain Research (CIMR) at Punjab University commemorated International Mountain Day 2025, emphasizing the urgent need to protect glacier ecosystems that support millions of people worldwide. Director of CIMR, Prof. Dr. Saima Siddiqui, welcomed guests, speakers, and participants, highlighting this year’s global theme: “Glaciers…
By Farzana Chaudhry | Lahore, Pakistan
LAHORE – The Centre for Integrated Mountain Research (CIMR) at Punjab University commemorated International Mountain Day 2025, emphasizing the urgent need to protect glacier ecosystems that support millions of people worldwide.
Director of CIMR, Prof. Dr. Saima Siddiqui, welcomed guests, speakers, and participants, highlighting this year’s global theme: “Glaciers Matter for Water, Food and Livelihoods in Mountains and Beyond.” She stressed that safeguarding glaciers is critical for sustaining communities and ecosystems dependent on their meltwater.
Dr. Muhammad Ghous, Chairman of the Department of Geography at Government Science College, warned of the alarming rate of glacier retreat and its implications for freshwater availability. He underscored the importance of climate monitoring, watershed management, and community engagement to mitigate the impacts of climate change.
Dr. Muhammad Jabbar from Civil Lines College elaborated on glaciers’ essential role in agriculture, hydropower, and local livelihoods, noting that millions of people in both mountain and downstream regions rely on glacial melt for drinking water, food production, and energy generation.
The event highlighted the pressing need for global and local action to protect glacier-fed ecosystems and ensure water and food security for future generations.
