Formulate separate development policy for Himalayan States: Mahara
Tuesday, 06 June 2023 | PNS | DEHRADUN
The Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) president Karan Mahara has said that the Union government should frame a sustainable Himalayan development policy for the Himalayan States. He said that the biggest assets of these States are their water resources and forests. The government should give consideration for the forest and water wealth of the middle Himalayan States and provide a green bonus to them. In a statement on World Environment Day, the PCC president said that there is a need to formulate policy for plains, Terai and Bhabar regions of the Himalayan States for conservation of middle Himalayas. This is important because the hot air currents generated due to continuous deforestation are affecting the snowline in the Himalayan region.
The PCC president said that Uttarakhand has a major role in environmental conservation and many personalities of the State have played an important role in protecting the environment. The PCC president said that the pioneers of the Chipko movement like Gaura Devi, Sunderlal Bahuguna and Chandiprasad Bhatt have given a new direction to the society in the field of environmental conservation.
Making an appeal to the Himalayan States, Mahara said that a separate policy should be made for their development. In absence of such a policy the interests of the youth and women would not be protected, he said.
He said that the effect of global environmental change is clearly visible in the glaciers of the Himalayas. Mahara said that rivers such as Ganga, Yamuna and their tributaries should also be protected because they play a major role in conservation of environment.