A group of trekkers from various cities completed a demanding six-day mountain trek this week to raise awareness about deforestation and climate change. The trek began in the remote village of Utror, Swat, and concluded in Sulatnr village in Matta tehsil of Swat.
A group of 21 trekkers, including 20 males and a woman, representing cities such as Faisalabad, Karachi, Islamabad, Lahore, Peshawar, and others, crossed three challenging passes, including Loye Phanghary, Karh, and Usherai. They also observed 20 alpine lakes. Braving diverse weather conditions, including hail storms, snowfall, rain, strong winds, and intense sunlight, they completed their arduous journey while recording the climate challenges facing this landscape.
The primary objective of their trek was to educate the general public about the critical issues of deforestation and climate change and to urge the international community to take a stand against these urgent environmental challenges.
Dr Adnan Yusafzai, a professor of economics from Karachi who participated in the trek, explained the urgency of addressing climate change and deforestation.
"It's alarming that we are taking climate change for granted and cutting forests under so-called legal techniques," he said, adding, "Pakistan cannot afford further temperature increases, as some cities have already experienced temperatures reaching 55 degrees Celsius."
Dr Yusafzai further highlighted that capitalists are not taking the global climate crisis seriously, which poses a significant threat to the planet.
Kishwar Ameer, the lone female trekker of the group and a climate change activist from Islamabad, said: "Experiencing tough climates and extreme mountain walks like this provides a true sense of the importance of forest conservation."
Mountaineer and eco-tourism activist Azhar Uddin, the event organiser, appreciated the dedication of the participants. "This planet is a blessing, and we are privileged to have a rich diversity of natural resources in our country. It is our responsibility to preserve these resources for future generations."
In addition to raising awareness, the trekkers actively contributed to conservation efforts by planting Deodar trees at Utror village in Bahrain Tehsil of Swat.