Muzaffarabad, Sept. 9 -- Environmentalist Sardar Muhammad Rafiq has stated that climate change is no longer a distant threat but a growing reality, especially for regions like Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK).

Speaking at a recent climate awareness session, Rafiq highlighted the direct link between rising temperatures, glacier melt, and the alarming decline in forest cover across the region.

"Climate change is an international issue, but its local consequences are becoming increasingly severe," he said. Dr. Rafiq emphasised that deforestation in PoJK has played a major role in accelerating the environmental crisis. Once rich in natural forests, the region has seen a significant reduction in vegetation, leading to higher surfac...