The Northern Mountainous Region of Pakistan is regarded as the most glaciated landscape on earth outside the Polar Regions, also known as water towers of Asia. The entire area serves as a living nature museum to study the unique geological, geographic, ecological and socio-cultural features of mountainous areas and societies. The Karakoram International University (KIU), Gilgit situated in northern Pakistan at the confluence of the world’s great mountain ranges of Karakoram, Himalaya, Hindu Kush and Pamirs, strives to promote knowledge on mountains and associated resources.
In order to institutionalize the academic, research and development initiatives, aimed towards knowledge of mountain societies and resources, the University has established a Centre namely Integrated Mountain Areas Research Centre (IMARC). Establishment of the Centre started in 2010 with the financial and technical support of Social, Economic and Environmental Development (SEED) Project for Central Karakoram National Park (CKNP), an initiative under Pakistan-Italy Debt for Development Swap Agreement. IMARC is an integral part of KIU and has been established with approval from KIU statutory bodies.
A state-of-the-art institution, aimed at holistic, integrated and sustainable mountain development through cutting-edge academic, research and capacity-building initiatives.
To initiate academic programs to develop qualified human resource to cater for the needs of sustainable mountain development including teaching, learning, and research;
To embark upon a research program and engage in various national and international research and academic organizations to promote research on diverse fields of mountain studies;
To design and implement human and institutional development programs including capacity-building, community outreach, training, and policy input to promote sustainable mountain development in Pakistan and elsewhere in the world; and
To act as a knowledge hub on mountains, associated resources, and societies.
Running Academic Program in Thematic Areas
Conducting Research on Mountain Issues
Capacity building
Applied geology, geohazards, and sustainable mineral resource development
Atmospheric sciences and climate change
Mountain Forestry
Wildlife Ecology, Conservation, and Management
Glaciology and mountain hydrology
Water resources management
Rangelands Conservation and Management
Innovative technologies for territorial management (GIS & Remote Sensing)
Rural development and management
Sustainable mountain agriculture
Tourism and hospitality studies
Food Security and Climate Change
Disaster studies
Biodiversity and Conservation
Soil Sciences
Livestock management
Mountain societies and languages
International
Chinese Academy of Sciences ( CAS)
Melbourne University Australia
ICIMOD
International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)
Kashgar University CHINA
National
Planning & Development Department, Government of GB
Forests and Wildlife &Department Government of GB
Agriculture, Livestock & Fisheries Department, Government of GB
Tourism, Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs Government of GB
