IMI-SDF Uttarakhand hold Workshop with stakeholders on boatd in Dehradun
DEHRADUN: The experts and civil society leaders at a high level consultation in Dehradun on Friday warned that the Himalayas are nearing a critical stage, with experts calling for urgent ecology driven development backed by sustainable investments.
The workshop organised by Integrated Mountain Initiative and the Sustainable Development Forum Uttarakhand brought together policymakers, scientists and stakeholders to shape climate resilient business models.
IMI treasurer Binita Shah said, “This platform is meant to connect science with policy and investments. The Himalayas need solutions that are practical, region specific and environmentally sound.”
IMI President Ramesh Negi said development must respect ecological limits.
“If we ignore nature, no investment will survive. Growth cannot come at the cost of destruction.
Planning has to begin with the carrying capacity of the mountains. Ecology must guide economy, not the other way around,” he said.
The consultation is part of a joint initiative with Systemiq Ltd to build a green investment portfolio for the Indian Himalayan Region, building on earlier discussions held in New Delhi.
Participants from key institutions including Doon University, G. B. Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment and the Uttarakhand agriculture department shared ground level concerns and inputs.
They highlighted visible changes across Himalayan states. Apple cultivation is moving to higher altitudes in Himachal. Incidents of cloudbursts and landslides are rising.
Traditional biodiversity in Uttarakhand is declining. Unregulated construction, heavy machinery and plastic waste along pilgrimage routes are adding pressure.
Experts said, “These changes are happening now. Climate impact is no longer a future concern. It is already altering lives and livelihoods in the mountains.”
Speakers at the meet also raised concern over increasing human wildlife conflict. “As forests degrade and food sources shrink, wildlife is moving closer to human settlements.
Unless biodiversity is restored, this conflict will intensify in the coming years,” they said.
Backed by the Rockefeller Foundation, the consultation focused on integrating water, forest and land concerns into policy.
Participants said the Himalayas, often called the Third Pole, cannot be ignored any longer and called for immediate and coordinated action to secure its future.
