CM Pushkar Singh Dhami : Workshop on Water Management and Climate Adaptation in Indian Himalayan Region held ,A one-day workshop on “Springshed Management and Climate Adaptation,Strategies for Sustainable Development in the Indian Himalayan Region” was organized by G. B. Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment, Almora and International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development in collaboration with NITI Aayog, Government of India at a hotel on Rajpur Road.
The book “Indian Himalayan Region: Towards a Sustainable Future” authored by Prof. Annapurna Nautiyal, former Vice-Chancellor, H. N. Bahuguna University was released on the occasion.
CM Pushkar Singh Dhami, who attended the workshop as the Chief Guest, said that this initiative will be helpful in reviving water sources in the Indian Himalayan region and formulating concrete action plans to deal with the challenges of climate change. He informed that the state government is working by giving priority to springshed management and climate protection, in which environmental aspects are being preserved by striking a balance between economy and ecology.
Water Conservation and Rejuvenation Efforts
CM Pushkar Singh Dhami said that Uttarakhand is considered as the “water tower” of the country, where glaciers are a constant source of water. The state government is taking several important steps to tackle climate change and ecological crisis, including:
Formation of Spring and River Rejuvenation Authority under which 5500 ground water sources and 292 tributaries are being identified and rejuvenated.
A massive plantation drive was carried out in the state on the occasion of Harela festival.
Under Amrit Sarovar Yojana, construction of 1092 Amrit Sarovars was completed in the State.
A proposal to link Pindar with Kosi, Gagas, Gomti and Garud rivers under the river linking project has been sent to NITI Aayog.
Policy Commission Initiatives
Shri Suman K. Berry, Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog emphasized on resettlement of villages in the Himalayan States and expansion of employment and infrastructure facilities under the Vibrant Villages Scheme. He said that science, community participation and women empowerment should be given priority to realise Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of a developed India. For this, the need to expand broadband service and increase internet connectivity was also stressed.
Climate change and traditional water sources
Irrigation Minister Satpal Maharaj said that climate change has had a negative impact on natural water sources, while in the tradition of Uttarakhand, water sources have been worshipped as sacred. He stressed the need for collective efforts for water conservation.
The workshop was attended by Dr. V. K. Saraswat, Member, NITI Aayog, Smt. Radha Raturi, Chief Secretary, Shri Surendra Mehra, Advisor, NITI Aayog, Shri Dhananjay Mohan, Principal Conservator of Forests, Ms. Isabel, Deputy Director, ICIMOD and Prof. Sunil Nautiyal, Director, NIHE.
