Pakistan has 13,032 glaciers covering over 13,500 square kilometers—the highest number of dryland glaciers in Asia. These feed the Indus River, which supports Pakistan’s farmland, energy needs, and drinking water. No other major river relies more heavily on glacier melt, and no country depends more on such a river than Pakistan. The stakes are high: glacier loss could undermine food and energy security for millions, especially in downstream areas like Sindh.
Italy’s role began over a century ago with early scientific expeditions to the Karakoram Mountains. The 1909 journey of Duke of Abruzzi Roberto Lerco and the 1929 expedition by Duke of Spoleto Prince Aimone with geologist Ardito Desio laid scientific groundwork by documenting terrain, glaciers, and local cultures. While these missions had exploration in mind—culminating in the 1954 Italian ascent of K2—their contributions, including detailed maps and glaciological surveys, remain invaluable today.
In the 1980s, Desio partnered with climber Agostino Da Polenza to establish EvK2CNR, which pioneered high-altitude research across the Himalayas and Karakorum. This led to the 1990 creation of the Pyramid Observatory—a high-altitude scientific laboratory located 16,568 feet above sea level in Nepal’s Khumbu Valley. Hosting nearly 600 scientific missions, it is a hub for studies on mountain ecosystems, glaciers, biodiversity, climate, and protected areas.
Through EvK2CNR and partnerships with the United Nations Development Programme, Pakistani universities, and research institutions, Italy launched pioneering glacier initiatives—including the country’s most detailed glacier inventory, documenting 13,032 glaciers across 13,546.93 square kilometers. Using UAVs, satellites, remote sensing, and ground surveys, Italian scientists produced geo-tagged inventories and advanced glacier melt modeling—tools essential for predicting future water supplies.
Recent developments have shown the urgent need to preserve glaciers. In March 2025, a photo of the nearly dry riverbed downstream of the Kotri Barrage in Sindh alarmed water experts and farmers. Declining glacier melt during early summer months is creating severe water shortages for agriculture and ecosystems.
Still, hope remains. The sighting of four snow leopards in the Karakoram Mountains—a rare occurrence—offered a positive sign for biodiversity. That same month, Agostino Da Polenza received a national award from the President of Pakistan, acknowledging decades of Italian commitment to mountain conservation.
Italy’s efforts extend beyond science. Italian-led programs have helped establish protected areas such as theCentral Karakoram National Park, and built local scientific capacity. These efforts aim to monitor glacier-fed freshwater sources while promoting sustainable resource use. With glaciers tied to food and energy security, these offer environmental, economic, and social benefits.
However, mass tourism, shifting weather, and unregulated development jeopardize fragile ecosystems and biodiversity. Urgent actions are needed, including:
- International cooperation to enhance understanding of cryosphere changes and water risks.
- Local regulations to control tourism and population growth near glaciers.
- Zoning rules to reduce carbon footprints in glacier ecozones.
- Expanded weather monitoring to improve meltwater forecasting.
- Monitoring of glacial lakes for potential flooding and landslides.
- Reducing glacier pollutants, including microplastics.
- Glacier education in schools, including training programs for students and teachers.
- Partnerships with research bodies to integrate glacier data into water and disaster policies and promote transboundary approaches.
The international community has recognized the critical role of glaciers. The United Nations has declared 2025 the International Year of Glacier Preservation, offering a platform to scale up action.
Italy’s long-standing glacier engagement in Asia shows that sustained scientific commitment and regional partnerships can yield transformative impacts. Its work with Pakistan also underlines the need to integrate local knowledge, foster community involvement, and promote environmental education.
As glacier melt threatens food and water stability across Asia, the Italian model presents a path forward. Strengthening international collaboration, environmental policy, and scientific exchange has never been more urgent.
Sustained cooperation is essential—not just to protect mountain ecosystems, but to ensure water security, regional stability, and a livable future for all.