Pakistan: Body Preserved by Glacier Found After 28 Years, Highlighting Climate Change Impact
Kohistan, Pakistan – A shepherd discovered the remarkably preserved remains of a man who vanished in 1997 within the remote, mountainous Kohistan region of Pakistan, a finding that underscores the accelerating effects of glacial melt due to climate change. The body, identified as Naseeruddin, was found in Lady valley, located in the eastern part of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
The finding, made recently, was possible due to diminishing snowfall in the region, exposing glaciers to increased sunlight and accelerating their melting process. Experts emphasize this event as a stark illustration of how climate change is revealing previously frozen and inaccessible areas, and the potential for further such discoveries.
Naseeruddin was reported missing in June 1997 after reportedly falling into a glacier while traveling with his brother, Kathiruddin. Police confirmed the identification through an intact national identity card found with the remains. Local sources indicate Naseeruddin was approximately 35 years old at the time of his disappearance and left his home village of [Insert village Name if available – research needed] due to a family dispute.
Omar Khan, the shepherd who made the find, described the condition of the body to BBC Urdu as “unusual,” noting the body and clothing were remarkably intact. “His body was still intact. His clothes were not even torn,” Khan stated. News of the identification quickly spread through Naseeruddin’s community, prompting recollections and further details about his disappearance.
Naseeruddin is survived by his wife and two children. Kathiruddin recounted to BBC Urdu that the brothers were traveling on horseback when naseeruddin entered a cave and did not return. Despite extensive searches with the help of local villagers, no trace of him was found until now.
The remarkable preservation of the body is attributed to the unique conditions within glacial ice. Professor Muhammad Bilal, Head of the Department of Surroundings at Comsats Islamabad University, explained that the extreme cold rapidly freezes the body, halting decomposition. “When the human body falls into a glacier, extreme cold temperatures freeze it quickly, prevent decay,” he said. He further elaborated that the lack of moisture and oxygen within the glacier, combined with slowed chemical reactions, contribute to the long-term preservation of organic matter. Glacial ice essentially creates a natural freezer, inhibiting the microbial activity that typically breaks down tissues.
This discovery is not isolated.Glaciologists are increasingly reporting the emergence of previously hidden artifacts and remains as glaciers retreat globally.Pakistan is particularly vulnerable to glacial melt, possessing more glacial ice than any other country outside of the polar regions – with over 7,253 glaciers. The country’s water supply is heavily reliant on glacial meltwater, making the accelerated melting a significant concern for future water security and increasing the risk of glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs).