Government Committed to Himalayan Conservation: Chief Minister

Sept 2025 : Chief Minister Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami has said that the state government is working with full commitment toward the conservation of the Himalayas, and that everyone must play their role in this important task.

Speaking at the Himalaya Day celebrations organized at the IRDT Auditorium on Tuesday, the Chief Minister extended greetings to all on the occasion. He said the Himalayas are not merely snow-clad peaks and vast mountain ranges, but the very lifeline of the Indian subcontinent. The Himalayas act as a steadfast guardian to the north of India, while their rivers form the lifeline of the entire nation.

He noted that the towering peaks, massive glaciers, rivers, and biodiversity-rich forests of the Himalayas not only provide natural beauty but also play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance. The rivers flowing from the Himalayas quench the thirst of millions, while the rare herbs found here form the foundation of Ayurveda.

However, the Chief Minister cautioned that this invaluable heritage is under serious threat today. Climate change, unregulated development, and the reckless exploitation of natural resources are disturbing the balance of the Himalayas. Melting glaciers, he warned, could lead to severe water crises and ecological imbalance in the future. He pointed out that rainfall intensity in Himalayan regions is continuously increasing, leading to unexpected cloudbursts and frequent landslides, with their frequency and impact rising day by day.

Referring to recent devastating natural disasters in the state, the Chief Minister emphasized the urgent need for coordination between scientific institutions and experts. With this in mind, the government issued directions last year to form a high-level committee. This year, in November, the state will also host the World Disaster Management Conference on climate change.

Dhami stressed that the responsibility of protecting the Himalayas does not lie with the government alone but with every citizen of the country. With the cooperation and guidance of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the state government is working with complete commitment to this cause. Initiatives such as digital monitoring systems, a glacier research center, water source conservation drives, and public participation programs are being carried out for the long-term conservation of the Himalayas.

He highlighted the launch of a Digital Deposit Refund System for plastic waste management, which has already helped reduce 72 tons of carbon emissions in the Himalayan region. He further stated that special attention must also be paid to sustainable tourism, as uncontrolled and insensitive tourism is harming the Himalayan environment. Promoting “sustainable tourism,” he said, will allow tourism to flourish without damaging the environment.

Dhami also underlined the significant role of local Himalayan communities in this mission. Their knowledge, traditions, and way of life teach us how to live in harmony with nature. Their experience and traditional wisdom should be respected and incorporated into environmental conservation policies. Small steps—such as saving water, planting trees, and minimizing plastic use—can play a major role in protecting the Himalayas.

The Chief Minister announced that the government has decided to observe Himalaya Awareness Week every year from September 2 to 9.

On this occasion, Padma Bhushan Dr. Anil Prakash Joshi said that this year, the entire Himalayan region faced disasters, and the monsoon season has increasingly become a source of fear due to such recurring events. He stressed the need to rethink strategies to protect the Himalayan environment.

MLA Shri Kishore Upadhyay, Mayor Shri Saurabh Thapliyal, Cabinet Minister Smt. Madhu Bhatt, UCOST Director General Prof. Durgesh Pant, Shri Suryakant Dhasmana, and several other dignitaries were also present.

(Issued by Department of Information & Public Relations)