Science, monitoring and international cooperation for the future of mountain water resources
On the occasion of World Glacier Day (March 21) and World Water Day (March 22), the EvK2CNR Association reaffirms its ongoing commitment to scientific research and international cooperation.
Following the recent completion of the Inventory of 13,032 Glaciers in Pakistan, the largest freshwater reservoir in Asia, the EvK2CNR is implementing the Water4Development project. The initiative focuses on the water cycle and its seasonal availability for agriculture, energy production, and civil use, delivering results that benefit hundreds of millions of people living in Asian valleys and plains.
For over thirty years, EvK2CNR, together with a network of universities, research institutes, and technology companies collaborating under its umbrella, has been promoting and carrying out high-level scientific and technological activities, as well as international cooperation projects aimed at environmental protection and sustainable development in the Himalaya, Karakoram, and Hindu Kush regions. Over time, the Association has become a key reference point for local government agencies and multilateral organizations.
Monitoring glaciers and climate at the “Third Pole”
One of the key pillars of EvK2CNR’s scientific activity is the SHARE project (Stations at High Altitude for Research on the Environment), a global monitoring network that collects long-term data on atmospheric composition, meteorology, glaciology, hydrology, and water resources in high mountain regions.
At the heart of this network stands the Pyramid International Laboratory-Observatory, located at 5,050 meters on the slopes of Mount Everest in Nepal. Since 1990, this unique facility has provided scientists with a strategic base for studying environmental change in one of the most sensitive areas of the planet.
In November 2025, EvK2CNR carried out a major technical mission to upgrade monitoring systems at the Nepal Climate Observatory – Pyramid, ensuring the long-term continuity of atmospheric, climatic, and geophysical observations. The mission included the modernization of seismic monitoring systems, the reactivation of a GNSS station for crustal deformation measurements, and upgrades to meteorological and aerosol monitoring instruments.
These improvements strengthen the Pyramid’s role as a global reference station for climate observation in high-mountain environments.
The Spantik Lab: a new open-air laboratory for glacier research
Another major milestone of 2025 was the launch of the Spantik Lab project, an ambitious initiative aimed at transforming the Chogo Lungma Glacier, in Pakistan’s Karakoram range, into a long-term open-air laboratory for cryosphere research.
The project addresses key scientific questions related to the so-called “Karakoram Anomaly”, a phenomenon in which some glaciers in the region appear to behave differently from the global trend of rapid glacier retreat.
During the Spantik Lab expedition in July 2025, an international team of researchers installed a network of monitoring instruments and carried out field investigations to study glacier mass balance, atmospheric conditions, and meltwater dynamics. These activities included:
The data collected will help improve glacier melt models and provide essential information on the future availability of water resources for communities living downstream in the Indus basin.
Water for Development: supporting water security in mountain communities
Beyond scientific research, EvK2CNR is actively involved in international cooperation projects aimed at improving water management and climate resilience in mountain regions.
The “Water for Development” project, implemented in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), focuses on the fragile ecosystems of Gilgit-Baltistan in northern Pakistan.
The initiative works to strengthen glacier and climate monitoring, improve water resource management, and support local institutions in addressing climate-related risks such as floods, landslides, and glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs).
In 2025, project activities included:
These actions aim to improve scientific knowledge while also supporting practical decision-making for sustainable water management.
From scientific knowledge to global awareness
Throughout 2025, EvK2CNR also contributed to the international dialogue on glacier preservation and water sustainability.
At the official launch of the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation, organized by UNESCO and the World Meteorological Organization in Geneva, the Association presented case studies based on more than thirty years of research in the Himalaya and Karakoram regions.
By combining field research, technological innovation, and cooperation with local communities and international institutions, EvK2CNR continues to contribute to a better understanding of the mountain cryosphere and its role in the global water cycle.
Protecting glaciers to safeguard the planet’s water future
Glaciers are often referred to as the “water towers of the world.” Their evolution directly affects water availability for hundreds of millions of people, particularly in Asia’s major river basins.
Through long-term monitoring networks, interdisciplinary scientific research, and capacity-building initiatives in mountain regions, EvK2CNR works to transform knowledge into concrete action for climate adaptation and sustainable development.
On the occasion of World Glacier Day and World Water Day, the Association reaffirms its commitment to protecting these vital ecosystems and promoting responsible management of the planet’s most precious resource: water.
Sharing stories from the field
On the occasion of World Day for Glaciers and World Water Day, EvK2CNR is also pleased to share three short videos produced in Pakistan by UNDP, a key partner of the Association. The videos highlight the collaboration and the activities carried out jointly within the framework of the Water for Development Project, showcasing fieldwork, scientific cooperation, and engagement with local institutions and communities in the mountain regions of Gilgit-Baltistan.
The Water for Development Project is funded by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) through the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) and implemented by UNDP Pakistan in partnership with EvK2CNR.
Through these videos, the project partners aim to share experiences from the field and illustrate how scientific research, environmental monitoring, and international cooperation can contribute to strengthening water security and climate resilience in high-mountain regions.
This video has been realized with the financial contribution of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, through the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation. The contents do not necessarily reflect the official opinion of MAECI/AICS. Responsibility for the information and views expressed therein lies entirely with the authors.
WATCH THE UNDP VIDEOS: https://www.youtube.com/@EvK2CNR-s2g