The cryosphere thinning results in the loss of rare species and their habitats, changes in infrastructure, food, and water: Dr Sitara Parveen Herald Report The thinning of the cryosphere is a major threat to the livelihoods of the mountain communities in north-western Himalaya, Trans-Himalaya, the Karakoram, and Hindu Kush mountain ranges. There is a need for adaptive strategies to cope …

Bank of Karomber Lake. — Photo by author “My Love!I am the receding sunshine on the mountains,the running wind on the lake,the fading chant of the shepherd.I’m the story that’s overDon’t call me or recall me for I’m gone now once and for all.”(Translated from a Wakhi song) As the blue waters of Karomber Lake bathe in the sun’s golden …

Two young auto-workers at work vulnerable to hazards. Photo by the writer. Gul Hammad Farooqi CHITRAL: The child labour in extreme unsafe environment has become a norm in Chitral as young mechanics, often of tender ages, are forced to work in auto-repair shops without safety gears. The practice has rendered a large number of children prone to hazards related to …

    Herald Report Conservationists, ecologists, and environmentalists have called for enhanced efforts and awareness about the impact of climate change on snow leopard and its habitat. The impact of climate change, unmanaged tourism, and human development have affected the snow leopard and its fragile ecosystem, they noted while speaking at different events organized by the Snow Leopard Foundation (SLF) …

By Gul Hamaad Farooqi CHITRAL: At least eight people died and 10 others injured when a passenger van fell into a deep ditch in Chitral on Wednesday, eyewitnesses and police told The High Asia Herald. According to the Koghuzai police station SHO, a passenger coach on way to  Booni from Chitral collided with a sports car at Raghlasht village. The driver lost control …

The Aga Khan Agency for Habitat (AKAH) has been helping communities create safe and resilient human habitats, with improved services in areas where they could see a future for themselves with focus on programmes related to climate change adaptation and mitigation. Herald Report The climate change caused by global heating and overexploitation of resources by corporate greed have put the existence …

Unprecedented ocean and cryosphere change requires urgent action, IPCC report finds Herald Report Our oceans are warming, ice sheets are melting, and sea levels are rising – and all at an unprecedented rate, according to a report, published by the Geneva-based Mountain Research Institute. The most recent report released by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), highlights the severe impact …

One of the expedition members fell on a glacier and three were stranded overnight on Koy-i-Zom peak in Yarkhun valley   Gul Hammad Farooqi Chitral, Sept 30: Five British trekkers and their guide and four cooks who were trapped on a mountain in upper Chitral have been rescued, local officials confirmed to The High Asia herald late Monday evening. The …

Zulfiqar Ali Kalhoro offers a portrait of the village of Immit in Ghizer district by Zulfiqar Ali Kalhoro While going to Iskhoman, one passes by Gahkuch town, the headquarters of Ghizer district. It is also the main stop for Shandur, Yasin, Gupis and Ishkoman valleys. Ishkoman is one of the four tehsil of Ghizer district. The other three are Punial, …

Young people select their future life partner; tourists complain about dilapidated roads, lack of facilities in Kalash valley   By Karimullah & Gul Hammad Farooqi CHITRAL: The three-day Uchawo festival concluded at Bumburet here on Thursday amid great fanfare, dances, music, prayers and pledges for spending life together by young couples at Bumburet, Kalash valley of Chitral District. The festival …