Dehradun: Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami participated in a special event at Mukhya Sevak Sadan, the Chief Minister's residence, to celebrate 'Himalaya Day' and urged the public to unite in protecting the Himalayas from climate change impacts. In his address, Chief Minister Dhami announced the formation of a committee in collaboration with Director General of the Uttarakhand State Council for Science and Technology (UCOST), Durgesh Pant, to address Himalayan concerns. He stressed the need for collective action to conserve the Himalayas, water sources, and forests to safeguard natural resources.

“This year, Dehradun has also experienced a significant rise in temperature. If this trend continues, it poses a serious threat for the future. We must come together to conserve our natural heritage and consider what we are leaving for future generations,” CM Dhami stated. The Chief Minister unveiled the poster for the fifth Dehradun International Science and Technology Festival, which will be held in engineering colleges across six districts: Dehradun, Chamoli, Uttarkashi, Tehri, Bageshwar, and Pithoragarh. He extended his wishes for a Happy Himalaya Day and expressed gratitude to those dedicated to the conservation and promotion of the Himalayas.

CM Dhami also declared that Bugyal Conservation Day will be observed annually on September 2. He highlighted the increasing pace of climate change and reflected on past disasters, including the recent World Congress on Disasters, and the successful rescue operations in the Silkyara Tunnel with global technological support.

The Chief Minister emphasized that Himalaya Day should be celebrated every day to enhance awareness about nature conservation. “Understanding the importance of the Himalayas anew is crucial. The state government is continuously working on water source and river revival projects through the Spring and River Rejuvenation Authority. Public participation is vital for the success of these initiatives,” he added.

CM Dhami noted that Uttarakhand is the first state to implement the Gross Environment Product (GEP) index and is striving to balance ecological preservation with economic development. He also mentioned discussions at the NITI Aayog regarding sustainable tourism and the need for separate plans for the Himalayas, considering the state's population and the influx of tourists.

Dr. Anil Prakash Joshi, founder of HESCO and Padma Bhushan awardee, commended CM Dhami for his new initiatives in Himalayan conservation. He suggested consolidating efforts across major institutions working on Himalayan issues and aligning development with scientific research. UCOST Director General Prof. Durgesh Pant announced that from September 2 to September 9, numerous programs under the Himalaya Week will be conducted throughout the state, focusing on the conservation and promotion of the Himalayas.

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