ISLAMABAD: A century-long scientific partnership between Italy and Pakistan is delivering innovative solutions to preserve the Karakoram’s glaciers – the lifeline of the Indus River system that feeds Pakistan’s farms and power grids.
As climate change accelerates glacial melt, Italian glaciologists are deploying drones, satellite monitoring, and high-altitude laboratories to help Pakistan manage its 13,032 glaciers spanning 13,500 sq km – the largest dryland glacier system in Asia.
A Legacy of Mountain Science
The collaboration traces back to 1909 when Italian explorers first documented Karakoram’s glaciers, laying groundwork for modern research.
In 1990, Italy established the Pyramid Observatory at 16,568 feet – a revolutionary high-altitude lab that’s hosted 600+ scientific missions studying glacier dynamics.
The partnership recently produced Pakistan’s most comprehensive glacier inventory using advanced remote sensing and ground surveys – critical for predicting future water flows.
Race Against Climate Change
The urgency became stark this March when the Indus nearly ran dry below Kotri Barrage, threatening agriculture in Sindh.
Italian researchers are now developing:
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Precision meltwater forecasting models
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Glacial lake flood warning systems
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Microplastic pollution tracking
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Sustainable tourism frameworks
Their work gained recognition when Agostino Da Polenza, architect of Italy’s glacier program, received Pakistan’s national award for conservation leadership.
The UN’s designation of 2025 as the International Year of Glacier Preservation could expand these efforts, with Italy’s model showcasing how science diplomacy can address existential environmental threats.
