Farmers in Pakistan’s Gilgit-Baltistan region are tackling climate-driven water shortages by building ice towers, a creative solution that’s become vital for irrigation.
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00:00The frost-covered valleys of Gilgit-Baltistan and Pakistan, nestled at the base of K2, the
00:10world's second highest mountain, farmers in this remote region are facing severe water
00:15shortages.
00:17To overcome this, they've come up with an innovative solution, building ice towers in
00:21winter.
00:22Since the ice tower was built, we have been growing crops in the monsoon, and now we are
00:29able to grow two to three crops a day.
00:32Before, we used to grow one crop a day due to water shortages, but now we can grow two
00:39to three crops a day.
00:45Warmer winters brought about by climate change have led to less snowfall and reduced seasonal
00:50snowmelt in the valley.
00:52With temperatures in Pakistan rising at twice the global average in recent decades, local
00:57villages find themselves on the front line of climate-related water scarcity.
01:02To keep their crops alive, farmers have turned to the internet to learn about other irrigation
01:07methods.
01:08The ice tower technique was developed about a decade ago.
01:38During the freezing winter months, water is piped in from nearby streams and sprayed
01:42into the air.
01:44This forms large cone-shaped ice structures that resemble Buddhist stupas.
01:49These frozen towers act as natural reservoirs, gradually melting in the spring to provide
01:55much-needed water as temperatures begin to rise.
02:15More than 20 villages in Gilgit-Batistan have adopted the ice tower method.
02:20While the innovation offers a lifeline for farmers, uncertainty looms over how long they
02:25can withstand the mounting pressures of a rapidly changing climate.
02:30Scott Huang and Chelsea Wu for Taiwan Plus.