A NUMBER of farmers in Shigar Churka, a remote area of Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), are losing their land due to river overflowing the banks and diverting its flow. The strong water currents erode the soil, washing away the fertile farmland and leaving families struggling.

With less land available, agricultural production in the region has declined, pushing farmers into deeper poverty. Many are unable to sustain their liveli-hoods and are compelled to migrate to other areas, or bear financial hardship.

This crisis is not only affecting farmers, but also harming the ecosystem. Soil erosion leads to desertification, disrupting aquatic life and degrading water quality.

The loss of trees and vegetation along the riverbanks makes the land even more vulnerable, increasing the risk of further environmental damage. Without inter-vention, this problem will only worsen, threatening both food security and biodiversity in the region.

The government and environmental organisations should take immediate action. Constructing protective emban-kments, planting trees along the river-banks, and introducing sustainable land management practices can help control erosion, and protect farmland.

The poor farmers need urgent support to save their livelihoods and secure a sustainable future. Effective steps must be taken before more land and lives are lost.

Imtiaz Shigri
Gilgit-Baltistan

Published in Dawn, March 20th, 2025