I am a Research Associate (Glaciology) at the Department of Earth Sciences, Karakoram International University (KIU) in Gilgit, Pakistan. The Department of Earth Sciences has two sections – Geology and Disaster Management. I am involved in both – I teach Glaciology, Geology and Hydrology to undergraduates. I have been with the institution since 2017.

I also keep up with my research, learning more about the cryosphere of our region, investigating glacier behaviour, their responses to climate change, and the hazards that result from these changes. My work contributes to the larger picture of informing downstream communities about cryosphere-related hazards and improving their lives and livelihoods.

Our research focuses on snow cover, dynamics of glaciers, mass balance studies, Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) and glacier surge. The glacier surge phenomenon is a common occurrence in glaciers of the Karakorum region. Having the latest data on the status of glaciers is crucial for Pakistan as we continue to experience cryosphere-related disasters. In the last couple of years alone, we have experienced several GLOFs events and glacier surges that have resulted in damages downstream.

KIU has yet to start a long-term, field-based cryosphere monitoring programme. We are mostly derailed by the lack of funds. The occasional fieldworks that we do focus on providing hands-on glacier monitoring training for our students. Much of the Department of Earth Sciences’ work is based on satellite images and Geographic Information System (GIS) software.

My most recent fieldwork was in September 2020 to investigate the Shisper Glacier surge in the Hunza river basin. The event at Shisper is quite interesting. Before 2016, the glacier was retreating, but in the following years it has started to surge, growing up to three kilometres within a span of a year (2017-2018).

In November 2018, the surge grew enough length to block the river from the adjacent Muchuhar Glacier, creating an ice-dammed lake in the process. The ice dam of the lake has been breaching during the peak summer since 2018 and causing GLOF and damage to properties in the downstream communities.

Terminus of the Shisper Glacier, Hunza in September 2020. Photo: Iram Bano/KIU

Although fieldwork is not a focus of my department, the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted us. The government placed several restrictions for fieldwork for a year, and we have not been able to take our students for hands-on lessons and experiences on the glaciers. Such lessons are now limited to GIS and Remote Sensing-based practices.

Cryosphere monitoring with students in the field, Badswat Glacier, Eastern Hindu Kush Pakistan

Glaciology is a new subject in Pakistan, due to which there is limited research and data on snow and ice. In the 90s, international scientists would visit Gilgit to research water towers. However, since much of the area under major cryosphere is located in the geopolitically sensitive part of the country, the number of visiting scientists has dwindled.

The other major challenge is the lack of funds. Pakistan has one of the largest areas under cryosphere within the HKH region, but we do not have good glaciology laboratory that focuses on cryosphere monitoring. There is also a lack of basic instruments to carry out field-based measurements, which affects our research quality and continuity. Considering all this, we still have a long way to go in terms of cryosphere monitoring in Pakistan.

There are not many women in this area of work. Currently, I am the only female from the Gilgit-Baltistan region who has a Masters in Glaciology and is working on glacier-related issues. It is not challenging for women to pursue glaciology as a career, as women from my region are known to be adventurous, hardworking, and intelligent. The main problem is the absence of universities that offers this course, except for KIU.

Whenever we go for fieldwork, we meet and interact with local community members. They are knowledgeable about the status of glaciers and climate change. They share with us their understanding the changes in temperature trends and precipitation and can connect these changes to glaciers retreating and advancing. Members of the mountain community even inform us about the discharge of glacier meltwater and the supra glacier lakes present on these glaciers.

Iram Bano in front of Lirung Glacier terminus in Rasuwa, Nepal

Data sharing continues to be a key challenge in the Hindu Kush Himalaya. Even within Pakistan, some organizations have extensive years of data, but they do not share it with other institutions. This is also a regional issue as data sharing culture among countries in the region is poor, even though most of them share similar challenges from climate change and could learn a lot from each other.

Glaciology is not an easy course to pursue, but it has its unique charm and is interesting. We learn about how the planet is changing and how these changes are driven by fossil fuel-based development. I have travelled to glaciers in Pakistan, Nepal, and Alaska, and have had the opportunity to compare and learn about how each of these glaciers are responding to the warming climate. I have interacted with some of the world’s renowned glaciologists and learned from them.

Coming from the mountain region of Pakistan, I have always been interested in learning more about my environment. The HKH region, also considered as the ‘Third Pole’, remains largely unexplored in terms of its cryosphere. There is a lot to explore in this part of the world. There is also a huge need for researchers in the field of glaciology and cryosphere sciences. I would encourage those who are considering glaciology as a career to get involved and explore the beautiful, glaciated landscape, and mountains. We need you.