Last May, record temperatures provoked a GLOF or glacial lake outburst flood in northern Pakistan, sweeping away bridges and villages in the valley below the Shisper glacier. Higher up the mountains, a semi-nomadic people called the Wakhi were leading their yaks to summer pastures. Their traditional lifestyle has also been heavily impacted by climate change. We profile both the scientists and the villagers on this global warming frontline. Episode director: Karim Shallwanee Series director: Andrew Tkach Locations: Gilgit-Baltistan region, #Pakistan VRW-019
Season 2, Episode 8: Kyrgyzstan’s Naryn River, born near the Petrov Glacier, begins its journey next to a massive gold mine, long, troubling environmentalists. Although the river is very important for agriculture and power production, the environmental awareness of those who depend on its health is low. Raw sewage is routinely dumped into Naryn River. A drought and melting glaciers would deplete the Toktogul reservoir, jeopardize the viability of the power station. We talk to those trying to save a river in serious condition. Episode Director: Iskender Aliev Series Producer: Andrew Tkach Locations: Naryn, #Kyrygyzstan VRW-018
Season 2, Episode 7: The people of the Sary-Jaz River valley have always believed that the Enilchek glacier would be there forever. After all, the Sary-Jaz valley is fringed by the highest peaks in the Tien Shan range, Peak Pobeda (7439 m) and Khan-Teniri (6995 m). But Alexander Vereshchagin, the chief scientist in the Khan Teniri Nationa Park, knows better. Alexander has seen with his own eyes how much the biggest collection of glaciers in #Kyrgyzstan has dramatically retreated. We join him on a horseback survey of Khan Teniri Nature Park, as he meets the valley’s shepherds and surveys the profound changes in their landscape. Episode Director: Aibek Baiymbetov Series Producer: Andrew Tkach Locations: Khan Teniri Nature Park, Kyrgyzstan VRW-017
Season 2: Episode 5: Shepherds of Naar - With unpredictably severe storms and rising temperatures, Pasang and Rgitar’s yaks must be herded higher and higher every summer, making the journey ever more perilous. Follow the shepherds leading the vast yak herds of one Nepalese village to higher pastures, and the troubles they face. Episode Director: Asmita Shrish Series Producer: Andrew Tkach Locations: Nar Phu Valley, #Nepal #VRW #ClimateChange #ClimateAction VRW-015
Season 2, Episode 4: Snow Shadows, Snow Leopards – The world’s most elusive big cats are suffering greatly on account of habitat destruction. With less natural prey to eat, #snowleopards are attacking more domesticated livestock. We follow one angry herder who has lost more than a hundred animals to snow leopards. And a former hunter, now a tourist guide, who wholeheartedly works to protect the #bigcats. Episode Director: Abdullah Khan Series Producer: Andrew Tkach Locations: Karakoram Mountains, #Pakistan #VRW #Resilience #ClimateChange #ClimateAction #ThirdPole VRW-014
Season 2, Episode 3: Fishing and farming communities in Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan face a looming threat to their culture and survival as water resources in Central Asia dry up dangerously fast. Episode Director; Janyl Jusupjan Series Producer: Andrew Tkach Locations: Ala-Too Range, Kyrgyzstan, Khorog & Darsem, Tajikistan and Aral Sea, Uzbekistan #VRW #Resilience #ClimateChange #ClimateAction #ThirdPole #AKDN VRW-013
Season 2, Episode 2: Tajikistan’s high Pamir Mountains are sprinkled with a series of striking glacial lakes: Karakul, Zorkul, Burunkul, Yashiikul. Gradually, the glaciers are melting, and water scarcity is threatening Central Asia. Episode Director, Tolik Godomamadov; Series Producer, Andrew Tkach; Locations, Yashikul & Burunkul Lakes, Tajikistan. #VRW #Resilience #ClimateChange #ClimateAction #ThirdPole #AKDN VRW-012
Season 2, Episode 1: In a Hotter World - The Thar desert is an unforgiving landscape with temperatures reaching 50 degrees Celsius. The struggle to survive in Thar is a testament to the resilience of the people and wildlife, forced to endure in a hotter world. VRW-011
Lahore, the City of Gardens, often has the world’s most polluted air. Local artist Irfan Dahri is raising awareness through his art. VRW-010
Low snowfall and receding glaciers threaten livelihoods in the Spiti Valley in Himachal Pradesh and Zanskar in Ladakh. Meet the scientists and activists working for local solutions. Narrated by Dia Mirza. VRW-009
Meet the young activists demanding higher environmental standards in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan - where air pollution is among the highest in the world. VRW-008
Follow a Karachi architect on a mission to save the mangrove forest ecosystem on Bundle Island, an oasis of life and nature protection in the Indus delta off the coast of Pakistan’s megacity. VRW-007
In June 2015, Karachi suffered the deadly ‘Heat Island Effect.’ Hot air was trapped over the sprawling city and temperatures soared to 47 celsius. Hundreds died from heatstroke. #Climate scientists say such #disasters will increase by 75% in the coming decade. Poor urban planning, shoddy construction materials, and water scarcity will exacerbate the problem as will poor canalization and waste management. Meet families that have to survive heat and floods and those working for a solution in this megacity. VRW-006
The Indus River, Pakistan’s lifeline, has been crippled by dams and pollution. Yet another major threat looms: what will happen if already melting glaciers that provide up to 80% of the river’s water shrink further? VRW-005
How are climate change and natural disasters affecting northern Pakistan? What’s the impact on the health and mental well-being of mountain communities? VRW-004
How are Kyrgyz herders coping with the impacts of climate change on their high mountain pastures? Can they preserve their traditional lifestyle and the Kyrgyz horse? VRW-003
As temperatures increase, glaciers on some of the highest mountain ranges of the world are melting rapidly. Can communities in the Pamirs of Tajikistan survive these climate changes? VRW-002
This episode features the impact of climate change and drought on the endangered Himalayan brown bears and golden marmots found in the Deosai National Park in Gilgit-Baltistan, the impact on local communities in the buffer zone, human-wildlife conflict, and eco-tourism. VRW-001

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