CM addresses Himalaya Day event in Doon
Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 9 Sep: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami today claimed that the state government is working with full commitment towards Himalayan conservation, and everyone must play their role in this important endeavour. Speaking at the Himalaya Day ceremony held at the IRDT auditorium here today, CM Dhami extended Himalaya Day greetings to all on the occasion and emphasised that the Himalayas are not merely a collection of snowy peaks and extensive mountain ranges but the very life source of the entire Indian subcontinent.
The CM asserted that the Himalayas not only act as an eternal sentinel in the north of India, but their mountain rivers are the lifeline of the entire country. He reminded that the high peaks, vast glaciers, rivers, and biodiversity-rich forests of the Himalayas not only provide an experience of natural beauty but also play a crucial role in maintaining environmental balance. He noted that while the rivers originating from the Himalayas quench the thirst of crores of people in the country, the rare herbs found there form the foundation of Ayurveda.
Dhami expressed grave concern that this invaluable heritage now faces a serious threat. Climate change, unregulated development, and the reckless exploitation of natural resources are disrupting the Himalayan equilibrium. Its glaciers are melting, which may pose major challenges of severe water crisis and ecological imbalance in the times to come. He also reminded that the intensity of rainfall in the Himalayan region is continuously increasing, and unexpected cloud bursts and resultant landslides are occurring repeatedly. The frequency and impact of these incidents are growing day by day. He stated that the state has recently faced several severe natural disasters. To effectively tackle these serious challenges, establishing coordination between scientific institutions and experts is extremely essential.
The CM noted that keeping this in mind, the government had issued directions last year for the formation of a high-level committee. He also shared that this November, the state would host the ‘World Disaster Management Conference’ on climate change. Dhami asserted that the security of the Himalayas is not solely the government’s responsibility but that of every citizen of the country. Therefore, with the cooperation and guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the state government is working with full commitment towards Himalayan conservation. In this sequence, the government is working towards the long-term conservation of the Himalayas through digital monitoring systems, a glacier research centre, the Jal Source Conservation Campaign, and public participation programmes.
On this occasion, Dhami also announced that a “Digital Deposit Refund System” has been launched for plastic waste management in the state. Through this small initiative, success has been achieved in reducing 72 tonnes of carbon emissions in the Himalayan region. He stressed the need to focus on environmental conservation in the tourism sector as well, as unregulated and insensitive tourism is proving detrimental to the Himalayan environment. For this, we must promote ‘Sustainable Tourism’, enabling tourism development without harming the environment.
Dhami also underlined the significant role of people residing in the Himalayan region in this work. Their knowledge, traditions, and lifestyle can teach others how to live in harmony with nature. Their experiences and traditional knowledge need to be respected and incorporated into the existing environmental conservation policies. Small efforts, such as saving water, planting trees, and minimising plastic use, can play a vital role in protecting the Himalayas. He mentioned that, in this sequence, the government has decided to observe the Himalaya Public Awareness Week annually from 2 to 9 September.
On this occasion, noted environmentalist and Padma Bhushan awardee Dr Anil Prakash Joshi remarked that disasters have struck the entire Himalayan region this year, and year after year, such incidents are frightening people. He emphasised on the need to rethink afresh to save the Himalayan environment.
Among those present on the occasion included MLA Kishor Upadhyay, Mayor Saurabh Thapliyal, Lal Batti holder Madhu Bhatt, Director General, UCOST, Prof Durgesh Pant, Suryakant Dhasmana, and others.
