In a stark reminder of the effects of climate change on high-altitude regions, a melting glacier in northern Pakistan has revealed the body of a man who disappeared 28 years ago. The discovery in Kohistan's Lady Valley has brought closure to a family's decades-long search and provided a sobering example of how rapidly melting glaciers are changing the landscape.
The remains, identified as Naseeruddin, were found by a local shepherd on August 1. Naseeruddin, who was 33 when he vanished, was reportedly fleeing a family feud in 1997 when he fell into a glacial crevasse. His body, clothes, and even some facial features were remarkably preserved due to the extreme cold, low humidity, and snow cover, which experts say contributed to a natural mummification process. A national identity card found in his pocket helped confirm his identity.
The discovery highlights a growing phenomenon in Pakistan's mountainous regions, where rising temperatures are causing glaciers to melt at an accelerated rate. According to glaciologists, this rapid retreat is exposing a variety of previously hidden objects and remains. Dr. Adnan Ahmad Tahir noted that such findings are becoming more common as the region's glaciers, particularly in northern Pakistan, are affected by rising global temperatures.
While the discovery provides a somber form of closure for Naseeruddin's family, it also underscores the urgent need for environmental research and conservation efforts in these vulnerable areas. Pakistan's northern regions, home to a vast number of glaciers, are on the front lines of climate change, with temperatures rising at twice the global average. This not only leads to discoveries like Naseeruddin's body but also increases the risk of glacial lake outburst floods and threatens long-term water supplies for millions of people.
