Hunza, May 12: Abdul Satar, Secretary Planning & Development regarded Hunza as a model region in rural development due to the efforts of Civil Society Organizations. He was addressing to the certificates distribution ceremony of a Training of Trainers on Advocacy Strategies in Karimabad, Hunza. He stressed the need to include other regions in Northern Areas as well in benefits of modernizations. The training was jointly organized by ICIMOD Nepal and KADO, Hunza to equip the management and activists of civil society organizations and political representatives with tools to influence decision makers for pro-poor policies.

Dr. Khawaja Khan, President Ismaili Regional Council for Hunza presided over the session. About 26 participants from KADO, AKRSP, LSOs, Union Councils and other regional and local organizations participated in the training.

Secretary Planning also formally inaugurated Deevako Productions and Hunza Cable network. Deevako Production is a project of KADO to work for the preservation, promotion and dissemination of local heritages. Dr. Khawaja Khan appreciated the efforts of KADO for harnessing culture and heritages for local development. Assistant Commissioner Hunza, DSP Hunza, President Ismaili Local Council Aliabad/Hyderabad, KADO Board members, Nambardar Karimabad and other notables were also present at the occasion. Ghulam Ali, CEO KADO expressed his hope to strengthen the linkages and partnership among different mountain regions to benefit the indigenous communities.

Secretary Planning also visited different projects of KADO and applauded KADO’s effort for rehabilitating Special People in Sharma and Women Rehabilitation Centers.

By Asghar Khan

Borith, May 11: Borith Payeen is facing sever water shortage because of water supply from the nearby glacier has been cut off due to the unusual movements. The villagers were used to digging water channels, on annual basis, from the Ghulkin glacier but this year there is no chance to build it up, again because of the unusual movmeents of the glacier. The villagers, now, seek the support of Government institution and donor agencies to help saving their crops and trees from getting destroyed. The community also seeks support from neighboring villages for rebuilding the water channel for irrigation.

Report and Photographs by Asghar Khan

Hussaini, May 11: Water level in a glacial lake, called Sheri Baig lake, near Hussaini Gojal Hunza is rising dangerously, posing great danger to life and property. Two big lakes have been formed inside the Ghulkin glacier because of the rapid melting of this huge mass of ice, sand and rocks.

The local people told this scribe that water level in the lake was rising at an average of at least two feets, on daily basis. The local community have informed the Local Council, Community Emergency Response Team, and the Local Administration. Members of these organizations have visited the site and reported their observations pertaining to this unusual change to the respective institutions about.

The glacier, historically, has been moving towards and away from the KKH but formation of a huge lake is a new and dangerous phenomena. Even more dnagerous is the rapid rise in water level. If the water level keeps on rising at its current rate within days it will break its banks and flood the entire village. This also poses great dangers for the the KKH, irrigation channels and a drinking water uplift Project.

Two glacial lake outburst in Passu, north of Hussaini, and Ghulkin, South of Hussaini, respectively, were reported by Pamir Times within the past five months and now the formation of these two lakes rings alarming bells, yet again. The outburst in Ghulkin had taken place from the southern part of this glacier, facing Ghulking Village, while the current lakes are formed towards the northern side of the glacier, above Hussaini village.

We urge the Northern Areas administration to conduct a Danger Assessment Survey of the entire Gojal Valley and develop strategies to minimize the threats by developing an Early Warning System, Disaster Recovery Plans and other related mechanisms to prepare the community on solid grounds. FOCUS Humanitarian Assistance has been engaged in developinig such mechanisms in the region and they should collaborate with the government sharing their experiences in this regard.