Window to Gilgit-Baltistan

By   Syed Shamsuddin   Tracing the Legacy of a Time-Honored Tradition in Gilgit-Baltistan : In the unforgiving terrain of Gilgit-Baltistan, where survival hinges on resilience and adaptability, communities have long adhered to a meticulously structured calendar, dictated by seasonal cycles . This tradition governed every aspect of life, from agriculture to livestock management, ensuring sustenance in an environment fraught with challenges. Spring marked a time of both relief and urgency—relief at having endured the brutal winter, yet urgency in preparing for the arduous tasks ahead. Fields and water channels had to be cleared and reinforced, laying the groundwork for the cultivation of life-sustaining crops. Livestock, weakened from the harsh cold, were readied for their seasonal migration to the high-altitude pastures , where they would graze and regain strength over the summer. The village then braced for the scorching summer, a season of relentless labor as crops ripened an...

By  Syed Shamsuddin "Ooreen Dar Marak toh amoshae" A local legend in Gilgit recounts that whenever an urial crosses a mountain ridge to the other side, it leaves behind every memory of the hardships and dangers it has endured. The ridge, in folklore, marks not merely a physical boundary but a symbolic threshold beyond which past suffering is forgotten and life begins anew. The Last Ooreen of Gilgit The following account is based primarily on local oral narratives that have been transmitted across generations in the lower Gilgit Valley. Although these recollections are broadly consistent with the ecology of the region and the known habitat preferences of the species concerned, they have yet to be substantiated through documentary evidence such as hunting records, forestry files, or the writings of early administrators and explorers. Accordingly, the observations presented here should be regarded as a historical-ecological reconst...

By  Syed Shamsuddin THE decision of the Chief Minister of Gilgit-Baltistan, Amjad Hussain Azar, to hold regular open kutchehries (public hearings) is a highly commendable initiative and a welcome augury for the future of governance in the region. At a time when a considerable segment of the population finds it exceedingly difficult to gain access to public functionaries, this people-centric approach reflects a leadership that is willing to listen directly to the voices of ordinary citizens. It is an encouraging departure from the traditional bureaucratic culture where the corridors of power often remain inaccessible to the poor, the underprivileged, and those residing in far-flung valleys of Gilgit-Baltistan. For countless citizens, approaching government offices to seek redress of genuine grievances is itself a daunting ordeal. Administrative procedures are often lengthy, multiple offices have to be visited, and in many cases, the ab...

By  Syed Shamsuddin THE talented young duo, Baqir and Asad, the latter tall in stature and the former of notably shorter height—popularly known as Ustad and Shagird —hail from Jalalabad, Bagrote, and have emerged as two of the most promising performers on the contemporary Shina cultural scene.  Through their engaging comic performances, they have demonstrated that humour, when intelligently crafted, is far more than a source of entertainment—it can serve as a powerful medium for social awareness, education, and cultural preservation. Their work has prompted a timely and commendable call for the establishment of a dramatic society in the region, a proposal that deserves serious consideration by the relevant authorities, cultural organizations, and members of civil society. Gilgit-Baltistan possesses a rich and diverse cultural heritage, yet organized theatre and dramatic arts have remained largely neglected. A properly constitute...

By  Syed Shamsuddin Climate Change and New Possibilities for Agro-Forestry in Gilgit-Baltistan Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), often described as Pakistan's "Third Pole" because of its vast glacial reserves, is today witnessing unmistakable manifestations of climate change. Retreating glaciers, warmer summers, milder winters, erratic snowfall, prolonged dry spells, and increasingly frequent Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) are transforming the region's fragile mountain environment. Yet, alongside these challenges, changing climatic conditions may also present carefully managed opportunities. A question that now deserves serious scientific attention is whether the gradual warming of certain valleys has created conditions suitable for cultivating tree and plant species that previously could not survive at higher elevations. This possibility should not encourage indiscriminate introduction of exotic species; rather, it calls for ...

By  Syed Shamsuddin PERHAPS the greening of Gilgit-Baltistan must begin with retaining water—not merely planting trees. Whenever the subject of greening Gilgit-Baltistan arises, our immediate response is usually tree plantation. Trees are undoubtedly essential to the ecological health of our mountains. But perhaps we need to ask a more fundamental question: Where will the water come from to sustain the trees? Gilgit-Baltistan is a cold-arid, mountainous region with limited and irregular rainfall. Yet enormous quantities of water enter its valleys through snowfall, snowmelt, glacier melt and episodic rainfall. Much of this water rapidly descends through countless nullahs and mountain channels, carrying away fertile soil and sediment before disappearing downstream. The real challenge, therefore, may not simply be to plant more trees. It may be to retain more water within the mountains . This brings forth a potentially transformative idea...