Uttarakhand Chief Minister Mr. Pushkar Singh Dhami on Tuesday participated in the “Save Himalaya Abhiyan-2025” program, organized by Hindustan newspaper at a hotel on Mussoorie Road. The event, dedicated to raising awareness about Himalayan conservation, also honored individuals for their remarkable contributions to environmental and Himalayan protection.
In his address, Mr. Dhami lauded the decade-long initiative, which began in 2012, for evolving into a public movement. “This campaign is no longer limited to an organization; it has become a people’s campaign,” he said.
Himalayas: The Soul of India’s Natural and Cultural Heritage
Mr. Dhami highlighted the Himalayas as a “unique heritage of the soul, culture, and nature” of India. He emphasized the critical role of the Himalayan region as the source of life-giving rivers that support drinking water and energy needs for crores of people. The flora and fauna of the Himalayas, he noted, are rare and vital components of India’s biodiversity.
“The Himalayas are not just mountains; they are living symbols of our civilization and culture. Their conservation is the conservation of our future,” he added.
Balanced Development: State Government’s Key Focus
Addressing the critical need for equilibrium between progress and preservation, Mr. Dhami said the state government is actively working to maintain this balance. Recognizing climate change as a serious challenge, the Chief Minister outlined a series of government initiatives to strengthen environmental resilience in the Himalayan regions.
Key efforts include:
- Forest conservation programs
- Water conservation drives
- Promotion of clean and renewable energy sources
- Environmental awareness campaigns
- Large-scale plantation efforts
These initiatives, he said, are being carried out consistently to ensure the ecological stability of the Himalayas.
Sustainable Tourism and Innovative Plastic Waste Management
Highlighting tourism as a key economic driver for Uttarakhand, Mr. Dhami emphasized the importance of making tourism sustainable and eco-friendly. He praised the digital deposit refund system introduced by the state government for plastic waste management—a program that has already resulted in a reduction of 72 tonnes of carbon emissions in the Himalayan region.
“This is just the beginning. We need to scale such initiatives and make them integral to our tourism and development models,” Mr. Dhami stated.
Traditional Knowledge as a Pillar of Conservation Policy
The Chief Minister stressed the importance of integrating the traditional knowledge and lifestyles of Himalayan communities into formal conservation policies. These communities, he noted, have lived in harmony with nature for centuries and possess invaluable insights into sustainable living.
“Including the wisdom of our hill communities will make our conservation efforts more grounded and effective. Every citizen must take responsibility for the Himalayas’ preservation,” he concluded.
A Unified Call for Action to Protect the Himalayas
Mr. Dhami’s participation and address at the “Save Himalaya Abhiyan-2025” reaffirm the Uttarakhand government’s commitment to sustainable development and ecological stewardship. By combining policy, public awareness, and people’s participation, the state aims to secure the Himalayan ecosystem for generations to come.
