A determined group of trekkers from various cities successfully completed a demanding 6-day mountain walk to raise awareness about deforestation and climate change. The trek began in the remote village of Utror, Swat, and concluded in Sulatnr village of Matta, Swat.
During the journey, participants crossed three challenging passes – Loye Phanghary, Karh, and Usherai – and observed 20 alpine lakes. They braved diverse weather conditions, including hail storms, snowfall, rain, strong winds and intense sunlight.
The primary objective of this initiative 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.
The event saw the participation of 21 trekkers, including one female and 20 males, representing cities such as Faisalabad, Karachi, Islamabad, Lahore, Peshawar, and others.
Dr Adnan Yusafzai, a Karachi-based professor of economics and a participant in the trek, spoke to The Friday Times–NayaDaur that the urgency of addressing climate change and deforestation. "It is alarming that we are taking climate change for granted and cutting forests under so-called legal mechanisms. Pakistan cannot afford further temperature increases, as some cities have already experienced temperatures reaching 55 degrees Celsius."
Dr Yusafzai further highlighted the problem that the global climate crisis is not being taken seriously by state authorities and business interests across the world, posing a significant threat to the planet.
In Swat, the region's unique geography and biodiversity make it particularly vulnerable to environmental changes. Over the years, rising temperatures and changing precipitation patterns have disrupted local ecosystems, leading to a decline in water availability and agricultural productivity. These climatic changes not only threaten the livelihoods of local communities but also exacerbate issues such as soil erosion and the loss of fertile land, making it increasingly difficult for residents to sustain their traditional ways of life.
Kishwar Ameer, a female trekker and climate change activist from Islamabad, spoke to TFT-ND of her experiences in being part of the initiative.
"I am fortunate to be part of this significant cause, trekking in high mountains for raising awareness about climate change. Experiencing tough climates and extreme mountain walks like this provides a true sense of the importance of forest conservation."
Deforestation in Swat has compounded the effects of climate change. The valley, once renowned for its lush forests and diverse wildlife, has seen a dramatic reduction in forest cover due to illegal logging, overgrazing, and the expansion of agricultural land. This loss of forested areas has led to a decrease in biodiversity and the degradation of natural habitats. The absence of trees also means reduced carbon sequestration, which contributes to higher levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Additionally, the loss of forests has weakened the region's ability to buffer against natural disasters such as floods and landslides, making communities more vulnerable to these increasingly common and severe events.
Mr Azhar Uddin, the event organizer, is a mountaineer and eco-tourism activist. He told TFT-ND that he was grateful to the participants of the trek. "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 in Utror village of Tehsil Bahrain Swat.