Faiza Tehseen

Ice towering technique can help stop temperatures from rising in Muree and protect its ecology amid changing weather patterns. “Increasing temperatures have led to fast melting of snow and disturbed the region’s ecology. To revive the natural form of this area, it is necessary to take measures to maintain temperatures,” said Dr Zakir Hussain Zakir, director of planning and development and project leader for ice towering at the University of Baltistan, Skardu (UOBS). Talking to WealthPK, he said the Murre Hill Station, located in the Rawalpindi district of the Punjab province, was a prominent tourist destination. “The area is a tourist hotspot due to its snow-covered mountains. Tourism here is a source of income generation for local residents. However, it is very important to impose a strict ban on smoke-emitting vehicles to stop environmental pollution and a spike in temperatures.” Zakir said introducing ice towering technique in the region could help keep the temperatures from rising. “It will gradually maintain the temperature and also go a long way in overcoming water scarcity in the area.”

He maintained that experts from UOBS had successfully established the ice-towering set-ups in the Baltistan region, and were willing to share their expertise if they were provided with sufficient resources to establish an ice-towering set-up in Murree. He said the Kohsar University in Murree was interested in launching a joint project to create ice towers. He said in Murree, a regenerative paradigm shift was required rather than adopting just conservative methods. “The ice towering performed in Baltistan is also of regenerative nature. In Murree, a large-scale awareness campaign is also needed to convince people about the importance of environmental preservation amid climate change.” Zakir said ice towering could be performed in any area at a height of 2,500 meters or more with a temperature below the freezing point. “There must be a water source or a way to produce water from height (head) so that a well-pressured waterfall can be transformed into a large ice mass.”

“With a diverse flora and fauna, Murree is a crucial water catchment region. Legendary pine forests here are like a heritage, and they are vital in restricting soil erosion and maintaining the temperatures,” he stressed. Zakir said by regenerating the natural environment in Murree, winter sports could also be started and promoted to attract tourists. “Tourism is a considerable source of income in the area, so to make it more productive, the involvement of the community and other stakeholders is important.” He said the government should focus on the serious climate change issue and evolve a proper policy framework to address it. “It is important to not only ameliorate the socioeconomic lot of the local community but also generate revenues for the state.”

Credit: INP-WealthPk