Citizens call for environmental and social awareness in Uttarakhand in 2026

PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun

As people prepare to welcome 2026, prominent voices from Dehradun have called for a renewed focus on environmental protection, heritage conservation and social awareness, warning that unchecked development threatens the mountain State’s very identity.

Heritage conservationist Lokesh Ohri emphasised that Uttarakhand’s identity is inseparable from its natural and cultural heritage. He said the State was created on the foundation of this identity, where tourism, culture and livelihoods are deeply connected to forests and heritage sites. Ohri cautioned that reckless development leading to deforestation and damage to unprotected heritage sites could result in irreversible loss. “Protecting heritage is not an option; it is essential for preserving our identity and ensuring sustainable prosperity,” he said.

Echoing similar concerns, founder of Social Development for Communities (SDC) Foundation, Anoop Nautiyal stated that his hopes are entirely tied to Uttarakhand’s future. He identified environmental destruction caused by unchecked development as the biggest challenge facing the State today. Nautiyal emphasised that development must not come at the expense of fragile ecosystems and forests, advocating for a balanced approach that prioritises conservation and restoration. “Development and environment must coexist, or the damage will be irreversible,” he said.

Neuropsychologist Dr Sona Kaushal Gupta said that while Uttarakhand achieved statehood, it now urgently needs a social and mental awakening. She highlighted the growing need for awareness on issues such as mental health, environmental health, hate crimes, racism, drug abuse and addiction. Gupta underlined that awareness plays a key role in prevention, noting that treatment begins only after harm has already occurred. She expressed concern over rising incidents of hate crimes and racism, stating that their root cause lies in a lack of awareness and acceptance. “We must engage young people through counselling, therapy and open conversations, and teach them empathy, compassion and emotional regulation, skills that are rarely taught in schools or society,” she said.