(Yasin, Ghizer)The region of Gilgit-Baltistan is mourning the sudden passing of Karim Shah Nizari, a widely respected social worker, environmental writer and adventure tourism expert from Yasin Valley. He died of a heart attack on Monday at the age of 36. His untimely death has left a deep void in the region’s civil society, especially among those working on climate action, sustainable tourism, and community resilience.
Karim Shah Nizari was not only a passionate voice for social justice in Ghizer District, but also a leading local advocate for climate awareness in Gilgit-Baltistan. He regularly raised pressing environmental concerns in his writings, talks, and community meetings. As a writer, he contributed to both social media and on KarakorumBasecamp blog, particularly under a section titled “Save the Third Pole” where he highlighted the threats facing the Himalayan and Karakoram ecosystems due to glacial melt, deforestation, and irresponsible tourism.
Karim Shah’s final Facebook post, a heartfelt note on local climate vulnerability, was published just hours before his passing. His followers and friends have since flooded the post with comments and tributes, remembering him as a voice of reason and urgency in a region increasingly facing the effects of climate change.
His impact extended beyond writing. He was deeply involved in on-ground community support and was often called upon during emergencies in the mountains. His extensive knowledge of mountain passes, high-altitude terrain, and local geography made him a go-to resource whenever trekkers, tourists, or locals were stranded or injured in the remote valleys of Gilgit-Baltistan.
Karim Shah Nizari was a proud graduate of the 2004 batch of Aga Khan Higher Secondary School, Gilgit, and later went on to pursue higher education at Quaid-e-Azam University in Islamabad, where he developed his passion for environmental studies and public discourse.
Friends and colleagues describe him as humble, committed, and courageous, someone who never shied away from difficult conversations and always chose service over comfort. His work reflected a deep love for the people and landscapes of Gilgit-Baltistan, and a relentless belief in community-led change.
Karim Shah Nizari’s passing is not only a personal loss to his family and friends but a significant setback for the environmental and social movements in the region. As tributes pour in from across the country, many are calling for his work to be documented, continued, and celebrated, especially in schools and community initiatives where he often volunteered his time. People from all walks of life who knew him or were familiar with his work have poured in with heartfelt condolence messages on social media.
He leaves behind a legacy of awareness, activism, and integrity and a community that will dearly miss his presence, his pen, and his unwavering dedication to the land he called home.
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