Pakistan terms Indian troops on Siachen serious environmental threat

Pakistan's top security adviser said on Wednesday the presence of Indian forces on the Siachen Glacier, considered as the world highest battle field, is a serious threat to the environment of Pakistan.

Indian and Pakistani troops are face-to-face at Siachen for years in freezing temperature. Pakistan says that Indian troops occupied its parts in Siachen in mid-80s.

Adviser to the Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz said Pakistan is a country facing water shortage and Indian forces are damaging the virgin snow of Siachen on a daily basis, which is one of the largest sources of Pakistani waters.

Sartaj Aziz termed the presence of Indian forces on Siachen a big issue and urged India to resolve it on a priority basis by pulling out its troops from the glacier.

He told Radio Pakistan that items of daily use disposed of by thousands of Indian soldiers are threatening the existence of the glacier.

"According to environmentalists, glacial retreat on Himalayas and Karakorum ranges has accelerated during the recent years because of human presence on the glaciers," Aziz said.

Regarding outstanding water issues between Pakistan and India, the advisor said both countries are engaged to resolve them through multiple channels including Pakistan-India composite dialogue and the Indus Water Commission.

"Implications of water scarcity are grave in view of climate change," the adviser said and stressed the proper usage of water in Pakistan, its conservation and building of new water reservoirs.