- Group of trekkers from various cities completes 6-day mountain walk
- Walks aims at urging the international community to take a stand against urgent environmental challenges
SWAT: A determined group of trekkers from various cities successfully completed an ambitious and audacious 6-day mountain walk to raise awareness about the severe impact of deforestation and climate change.
The trek commenced in the remote village of Utror valley, Swat, and concluded in Sulatanr village of Matta Tehsil Swat. During the journey, participants crossed three challenging passes: Loye Phanghary, Karh, and Usherai, and observed 20 alpine lakes. They braved diverse weather conditions, including hail storms, snowfall, rain, strong winds, and intense sunlight.
The primary objective of this initiative was to educate the general public about the critical issues of deforestation and climate change and to urge the international community to take a stand against these urgent environmental challenges. The event saw the participation of 21 trekkers, including one female and 20 males, representing cities such as Faisalabad, Karachi, Islamabad, Lahore, Peshawar, and others.
Dr Adnan Yusafzai, a professor of economics at IBA Karachi and a participant in the trek, emphasized the urgency of addressing climate change and deforestation. He stated, “It’s alarming that we are taking climate change for granted and cutting forests under so-called legal techniques. Pakistan cannot afford further temperature increases, as some cities have already experienced temperatures reaching 55 degrees Celsius.” He further highlighted that the global climate crisis is not being taken seriously by capitalists, posing a significant threat to the planet.
Kishwar Ameer, a female trekker and climate change activist from Islamabad, expressed her gratitude for being part of the initiative. She remarked, “I am fortunate to be part of this significant cause, trekking in high mountains for climate change. Experiencing tough climates and extreme mountain walks like this provides a true sense of the importance of forest conservation.”
Mr. Azhar Uddin, the event organizer, mountaineer, and eco-tourism activist, thanked the participants for their dedication. He stated, “This planet is a blessing, and we are privileged to have a rich diversity of natural resources in our country. It is our responsibility to preserve these resources for future generations.”
In addition to raising awareness, the trekkers actively contributed to conservation efforts by planting Deodar trees in Utror village and dispersing seed balls of alpine medicinal plants in the alpine range.
The 6-day mountain walk not only underscored the urgent need for environmental conservation but also demonstrated the collective commitment of individuals from various backgrounds to protect the planet.
