Letter to the Editor
Sir
This is in reference to your coverage, ‘Nature is Uttarakhand’s Heritage’ stated by the Governor in Garhwal Post dated 5 June and, also, ‘Uttarakhand is uniquely positioned for conservation of nature’ by our Chief Minister, dated 6 June ‘25. It is very heartening that our state heads are very much alive to the existential issue of environmental preservation and related issues. Each year, World Environment Day arrives with hashtags, ceremonial tree-plantings, and loud declarations about saving the planet, country and the state. But for Uttarakhand – a region already gasping under the weight of deforestation, disappearing orchards, and reckless development – tokenism is no longer enough. Remembering nature once a year does not serve the purpose of its preservation. The problem is not development per se – but the knee-jerk nature of it. Most projects are pushed without comprehensive environmental impact assessments or adequate local consultation. In the name of modernisation, the unique Himalayan ecology is being flattened – both literally and metaphorically. What Uttarakhand needs is not blind expansion but sensitive progress – one that places sustainability at its core. This means stricter oversight of tree felling, long-term environmental audits, and most importantly, giving local communities a say in shaping the future of their land. Eco-tourism, traditional knowledge systems, forest-based livelihoods, and low-impact infrastructure must be prioritised. Uttarakhand is standing at an ecological tipping point. If the current path continues, the very mountains that have inspired generations could turn hostile. The time to act with foresight, wisdom, and restraint is now – before ‘Devbhoomi’ loses both its divinity and its resilience. We genuinely owe accountability to our future generations.
Yours etc.,
Col Bhaskar Bharti (Retd)
