GLOF II Interventions
Introduction
Global Warming bears tremendous consequences on the glaciers of Northern Pakistan, leading to extensive glacial melts which result in Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs), making human lives and habitations highly susceptible to the disastrous impacts of Climate Change. To address the threats posed by Climate Change in the form of climate-induced disasters such as GLOFs, the Ministry of Climate Change & Environmental Coordination, in partnership with UNDP Pakistan is implementing the Scaling up of Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) Risk Reduction (GLOF-II) Project supported by the Green Climate Fund to enhance climate-resilience of the communities in twenty-four (24) valleys of ten (10) districts of Gilgit Baltistan (GB), and eight (08) districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). The Project’s multi-layered approach to cementing climate resilience entails strengthening national and sub-national institutional capacities for climate responsive planning and development; and scaling up of community based Early Warning System(s) and long term climate-adaptation measures through capacity enhancement trainings to reduce GLOF risks, directly benefitting 696,342 people (348,171 men and 348,171 women).
EARLY WARNING SYSTEM
- UNDP is presently undertaking the installation of Early Warning Systems (EWS) in the 16 most climate-vulnerable valleys of Gilgit Baltistan (GB), and 08 valleys of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), respectively. The equipment includes six different types of EWS, namely the Automatic Rain Gauge, Automatic Weather Station (AWS) High Altitude (HA), Automatic Weather Station (AWS) Medium/Low Altitude (M – LA), Lake & River Water Depth Gauge, Water Discharge Gauge, and Warning Posts.
Rehabilitation of Irrigations
- The rehabilitation of irrigation channels ensures accessibility of water to the valley habitations, especially during the time of GLOFs, floods, and other climate-induced disasters.
- The Project has rehabilitated 172 irrigation schemes against a target of 240 (71% complete)
Construction of Small-Scale Infrastructure
- Gabion walls act as barriers stopping the inflow of the GLOFs towards the Project valleys.
- 230small-scale infrastructures (gabion walls) have been constructed against a target of 250 (92% complete)
Slope Stabilization through bio-engineering Techniques
- These schemes are designed to reduce the risks posed by unstable slopes. By rolling out plantation for slope-stabilization, the volume of storm water runoff during heavy rainfall is subdued, significantly mitigating the potential for erosion and pollution in local waterways. This multi-pronged approach not only acts as a crucial defense against the destructive impacts of GLOFs but also fosters a heightened sense of security within the communities directly affected by these events.
Other Interventions
- For enhanced and sustainable climate action, 24 Community Based Disaster Risk Management (CBDRM) Committees have been formed (100% complete) in the Project valleys, along with community based Hazard Watch Groups in each valley.
- Â The construction of 07 CBDRM Centres has been completed against a target of 25 (28% complete).
- 02 Climate Change Adaptation Action Plans (CCAAP) for KP and GB have been developed.
- 684 community sensitization sessions (CCAAP trainings, mock-drills, stakeholders communication and coordination workshops, GLOFs awareness sessions, and trainings on kitchen gardening) have been rolled out.
- 07 community reciprocal visits have been executed.
- The Project continues to support the demonstration and documentation of indigenous best practices (Ice-Stupa formation, Glacier Grafting, Avalanche Harvesting).
- IEC, advocacy, and outreach material for Climate-Change and GLOF awareness has been developed over the course of the Project period (Connect with Resources).
- The Project’s infrastructural and EWS interventions have benefitted 157,259 individuals (80,727 women, 76,532 men), with 51% of women having benefitted from the actions.
