Window to Gilgit-Baltistan

By   Syed Shamsuddin "A Tree Does Not Scream When It Is Cut – But the Earth Does" “The tree falls in silence, but the earth grieves aloud.” This haunting truth captures a grave reality: while the felling of a tree may pass unnoticed by human ears, its consequences reverberate powerfully through the climate, ecosystems, and the future of our planet. Rising temperatures, disturbed habitats, soil erosion, and disappearing biodiversity—all echo the loss. Nowhere is this quiet devastation more urgent than in Gilgit-Baltistan, the hydrological heart of Pakistan. Gilgit-Baltistan’s Forests: The First Line of Environmental Defense Cradling more than 7,000 glaciers and crowned by some of the world’s highest peaks, Gilgit-Baltistan is the lifeline of the Indus River system that sustains around 80% of Pakistan’s agricultural and drinking water needs. Yet, this ecologically fragile region faces relentless deforestation—driven not by greed, but by necessity. Rural poverty, energy deprivat...

By   Syed Shamsuddin The quote — "To be indigenous is to live in rhythm with the earth, to understand that the trees, rivers and winds are not separate from us; they are our relatives, our teachers, and our responsibility" — carries profound meaning rooted in ancestral wisdom, environmental consciousness, and spiritual interconnectedness, as outlined below: Living in Rhythm with the Earth To be indigenous means more than simply belonging to a place by origin. It implies a deep, reciprocal relationship with the land. "Living in rhythm with the earth" refers to an awareness and lifestyle that aligns with nature’s cycles — the seasons, the migrations, the moon phases, and the natural flow of ecosystems. It means living with nature, not over it. This rhythm fosters harmony rather than exploitation. Indigenous communities traditionally grow food when the land is ready, hunt respectfully with a sense of balance, and migrate or adapt as nature signals, rather than f...

By   Syed Shamsuddin Down the winding trail of memory, those who lived through the 1960s in Gilgit-Baltistan may find themselves yearning for a simpler, more harmonious era—an era when the valleys breathed peace and unity, and the hearts of the people beat as one. It was a time before the divides of modernity had carved invisible lines between communities, and when society, despite its modest resources, stood tall in its values of mutual respect, brotherhood, and human dignity. In those halcyon days, Gilgit town was home to the only secondary school of the region, located just across from the Post Office in Gilgit Bazar. This school served as a crucible of unity, drawing students from across the vast stretches of Gilgit-Baltistan: from the remote and rugged valleys of Ghizar, Hunza, Nagar, Astore, Chilas, Darel, and Tangir, to the more immediate surroundings of Gilgit itself. Within its walls, diversity found its strength in shared learning and collective experience. There were no ...

By   Syed Shamsuddin A highly relevant and thought-provoking piece by Muhammad Saleh, titled "Terrain and Human Short-Sightedness" , published by Media Lens on July 24, 2025, deserves renewed attention in light of current environmental challenges and the shifting realities of our time: Gilgit-Baltistan, the breathtaking crown of Pakistan's northern frontier, is a region of unparalleled natural beauty — but it is also a land defined by formidable natural challenges. Its majestic mountains, sprawling glaciers, winding rivers, and seismic fault lines paint a stunning yet fragile landscape. These physical features stand as stark reminders that this region is acutely susceptible to natural calamities. Over the years, extreme weather — in the form of heavy downpours, sudden temperature spikes, and glacial lake outbursts — has repeatedly caused floods, landslides, and destruction. And more such events are predicted as climate change intensifies. Living on the Edge — The Cost...

By   Syed Shamsuddin On July 23, 2025, renowned social commentator and activist Israruddin Israr posted a terse but potent remark on Facebook that sliced through the fog of apathy clouding Gilgit-Baltistan’s environmental crisis. In his words, he lamented how the unchecked and lavish use of precious timber—particularly the prized deodar—by government officials to panel their offices and decorate bureaucratic spaces had done more to encourage deforestation than to prevent it. Israr points out that the valuable timber used for interior paneling in Gilgit-Baltistan is sold in the cities of the down country at prices nearly a thousand times higher than what it fetches locally. Given this alarming disparity and the ongoing exploitation of natural resources, he emphasizes that the catastrophic environmental consequences we are currently witnessing may actually be far less severe than what lies ahead if this trend continues unchecked.His observation pierced the very heart of a disturb...

By   Syed Shamsuddin [Paste and replace this with the text of the article, paste title of the article on top field, add labels in the top right sections each separated with a comma and publish the article] By Syed Shams Uddin It is a matter of great pride that Professor Dr. Ghulam Mustafa Nagari has reportedly been selected for the prestigious 2025 PRMA Award , which will be formally conferred upon him on July 26, 2025 , in Copenhagen, Denmark . This international recognition crowns an extraordinary academic journey that spans continents and defies conventional career expectations. Dr. Mustafa Nagari has achieved what few have accomplished—attaining full professorial status in Norway , a country known for its rigorous academic standards, and doing so within a remarkably short span of time. This landmark accomplishment not only affirms his exceptional scholarly merit but also positions him among a select group of global thought leaders making impactful contributions in their fiel...

By Syed Shams Uddin A deeply alarming video that surfaced on Facebook on July 22 has once again drawn public attention to the growing environmental vulnerability of Gilgit-Baltistan. The footage shows a colossal wave of floodwater—described by eyewitnesses as the largest ever—rushing through Danyore's Manogah stream and tearing past Sultanabad with ferocious intensity. Laden with mud, stones, uprooted vegetation, and other debris, the massive flood resembling a rampaging storm, struck the Hunza River at Sarwar's Khari innundating this tiny habitat by momentarily blocking the Hunza River. The waterscape of Danyore has been completely obliterated at places, as the flood first swept away the fragile piped water supply running through the nullah—on which the entire area, including Sultanabad, Muhammadabad, and central Danyore, depends. The irrigation system too has also been damaged, while other related losses are yet to be fully assessed.It is said that there has been flooding too...

By Syed Shams Uddin Today, July 22, stands as one of the darkest and most painful days in the recent memory of Gilgit-Baltistan and the nation at large. A tragic incident unfolded at Thak Nala near Babusar Top, transforming a journey of joy and exploration into an unspeakable calamity for the innocent tourists who had come to embrace the natural splendor and hospitality of our mountainous region. What was meant to be a celebration of Pakistan’s unparalleled beauty has become a national tragedy — a Black Day that will be remembered for the loss of precious lives, the suffering of survivors, and the haunting silence that now hangs over one of the most visited tourist corridors in the country. A Grieving Region Stands United The people of Gilgit-Baltistan are united in profound grief. We offer our heartfelt condolences to the families who lost their loved ones in this devastating event. May Allah, the Most Merciful, grant the departed eternal peace, and bestow upon the bereaved families s...

By Syed Shams Uddin  In a tale steeped in the spirit of Rumi’s timeless wisdom, a cobra bites a snake — and is, in turn, strangled to death by the very creature it attacked. Both perish. Neither wins. This seemingly simple parable carries within it a profound warning: when members of the same kind turn on each other, mutual destruction is inevitable. It is a timeless metaphor for societies fractured by internal discord, where people once united by land, heritage, or faith descend into conflict driven by pride, ego, suspicion, and the thirst for dominance. Rumi’s deeper message could not be more relevant today: when brothers fight, there are no victors — only graves. In our own homeland, nestled in the valleys and mountains rich in heritage yet vulnerable to disruption, this truth reverberates with urgency. The cobra and the snake are not foreign foes; they symbolize us — siblings, neighbors, old friends. Their mutual demise is a reflection of what happens when communities allow int...

By Syed Shams Uddin In the quiet twilight of his life, a wise old man, sensing the nearness of his final hour, gathered his children and offered them a parting counsel unlike any farewell. His words were not adorned with sentimentality, nor burdened by emotional demands. Rather, they were imbued with realism, spiritual depth, and a remarkable foresight—crafted not just for his children, but for all who may one day face the irreversible reality of losing a parent while being far from home. In an age where migration, employment, study, and life’s unpredictable paths scatter families across the globe, the old man's message rises as a voice of clarity amidst grief's storm: “My dear children,” he said softly, “if my death comes while you are far away—perhaps in a foreign land or a distant city—do not rush home in desperation. The moment of passing is beyond retrieval. Nothing you do, no matter how swift your travel, will restore what has already returned to its Creator. Do not allow...

By   Syed Shamsuddin In the rugged valleys of Gilgit-Baltistan—where ancient glaciers feed terraced orchards and the air remains pure and dry—an age-old practice continues to thrive every summer: the natural drying of fruits under the open sky. Among the most beloved of these are apricots and mulberries, both cherished not only for their seasonal bounty but for their transformation into winter delicacies through the art of traditional sun-drying. Apricots: Golden Fruit of the Mountains Apricot trees bloom abundantly across the region, especially in valleys like Hunza, Ghizer, Skardu, and Shigar. By mid-summer, the trees hang heavy with ripe, golden-orange fruit. Villagers gather to harvest them in a communal, often celebratory spirit. The ripe apricots are then halved, their stones removed, and the fruit is laid out on wooden trays, rooftops, or flat stones to dry under the sun. No chemicals or additives are used—just sunlight, fresh air, and time. As the moisture evaporates, the ...

By   Syed Shamsuddin “A nation that destroys its soils destroys itself. Forests are the lungs of our land, purifying the air and giving fresh strength to our people.” — Franklin D. Roosevelt In an age of melting glaciers, rising temperatures, and ecological imbalance, trees remain the planet’s quietest defenders—cooling, cleansing, and healing. From sprawling urban centers to the glaciated valleys of Gilgit-Baltistan, their role is not merely ornamental—it is existential. A Single Tree, A Natural Climate Engine Through a process called evapotranspiration, a mature tree can release up to 380 liters of water vapor into the air every single day. This natural cooling effect draws heat away from the environment, reducing surface temperatures much like an invisible mist system. In fact, a study cited by Berkeley Lab and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency found that one tree provides the cooling effect of five to eight air conditioners running for 20 hours—and does it silently, clea...

By Syed Shams Uddin In a world increasingly overwhelmed by conflict, unrest, and division, peace is no longer a lofty ideal — it is a vital necessity. Across the globe, nations wrestle with war, communities battle division, and individuals struggle with inner turmoil. In this atmosphere, the essence of peace-lovingness—an inherent human tendency toward harmony, compassion, and coexistence—emerges as both a moral compass and a survival imperative. The Natural Inclination Toward Peace From the newborn’s need for security to the elder’s desire for tranquility, peace is foundational to every stage of life. Human beings, by nature, seek comfort, connection, and continuity. While conflict might occasionally erupt from fear, greed, or misunderstanding, history proves that civilizations have flourished not through war, but through periods of peace. Trade, art, science, culture, and human relationships grow when nurtured in peaceful environments. To be peace-loving, therefore, is not a sign...

By   Syed Shamsuddin The Imperative of Our Time: Peaceful Coexistence and Collective Progress In an age marked by global crises, cultural interdependence, and shared struggles, peaceful coexistence is no longer a choice—it is a matter of survival, dignity, and collective progress. The greatest bond we share is that of humanity. Regardless of religion, sect, ethnicity, or region, we must live together as one people—united not by uniformity of belief, but by a common resolve to build a just and humane society. Let faith, ethnicity, and sect remain personal—where they rightfully belong. Across the globe, people thrive side by side without letting their beliefs become tools of division. Why then should we act differently? Why turn inherited identities into battlegrounds? Hatred, no matter how cleverly disguised—as political disagreement, righteous indignation, or cultural pride—is corrosive. It adds nothing to the public good, erodes the foundation of community, and depletes the energy...

Syed Shams Uddin Digital Accountability and the Ethics of Governance in the Age of Social Media In today’s interconnected world, social media has emerged as a transformative force, revolutionizing how citizens engage with public institutions and how swiftly governance can—and must—respond. What began as a platform for casual interaction has matured into a powerful public arena where grievances are aired, misconduct is exposed, and institutional inertia is challenged in real time. This evolution carries profound significance for developing democracies like Pakistan, where conventional grievance redressal mechanisms are often stifled by bureaucratic lethargy and inaccessibility. Why Responsiveness Matters—Especially for the Voiceless At the heart of any just administrative system lies the capacity to listen to and act upon the concerns of the public—especially the weakest segments of society. These individuals, often poor, undereducated, and geographically marginalized, suffer dispro...