Experts call for urgent steps to preserve Himalayan ecosystem

Stressing the importance of the Himalayas as a storehouse of natural resources that help sustain life and economy, experts today called for urgent steps to preserve its ecological balance and check further degradation.

Speaking at a session at the ongoing India International Science Festival, several experts delved upon the impact of human activities and natural processes that have impacted the Himalayas and the way forward.

Minister of State for Science and Technology and earth Sciences, Dr Jitendra Singh said because of its contribution to the economy in terms of water, crop cultivation and tourism, the Himalayan region has become an important subject for an economist. “So if you want to stop its disaster, then you have to stop the depletion of the economy and preserve its resources in the form of competitive valuation,” he said. “So let’s think of Himalayas with a futuristic vision,” he added.

Anurag Rastogi, Chief Secretary, Haryana, said the economy of the region was dependent on the fact that snow melts from the Himalayas and flows into the rivers and whether it is drinking water or water for farming, all the needs are fulfilled from there.

Stating that it was our duty to preserve the Himalayas, Dr Sudesh Yadav, Director of the Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology, Palampur, spoke about the biodiversity of the region, which has about 12,000 types of plants. “We should understand the local genesis of these plants. If we work on the conservation, then we can conserve the biodiversity of the Himalayas,” he said.

Dr Vineet Gahalaut, Director Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, said that the construction practices being followed and some unplanned development in the mountains are causing problems.

Dr Anil Prakash Joshi, an environmentalist said climate change began 250 million years ago and it has continued, adding, “Earlier, these changes were driven by nature; now, whatever is happening has full human involvement. Unless we understand this, we will not truly grasp the issue.”

Dr GS Rawat, ex-Director, Wildlife Institute of India said unless our Himalayan regions are empowered through knowledge, understanding, scientific awareness, ecological awareness and natural resource management, we will not be able to move very far towards a developed Himalaya.

Mentorship important to help startups stay on course: Minister

Describing start-ups as a key driver of India’s future growth, Union Minister of State for Science and Technology, Dr Jitendra Singh, underlined that mentorship and not funding alone, will shape the next generation of startups.

Interacting with entrepreneurs and students during a panel discussion on “Startup Journeys” at the India International Science Festival here today, he stressed upon the need for stronger mentorship, greater risk-taking in research and early handholding of young innovators.

Stressing on the importance of clarity of purpose and aptitude before launching a start-up, he said mentoring at an early stage was crucial to help young innovators understand their strengths, refine ideas and avoid common pitfalls.

He said India had moved decisively from a situation of limited access to science education to a stage where opportunities are increasingly “democratised”, allowing talent from smaller towns and modest backgrounds to aspire for entrepreneurship. He said the government’s focus has shifted from mere policy intent to building supportive ecosystems that connect ideas to markets.

The minister said that sustained efforts under the science and technology ministries have helped create structured platforms such as BIRAC, national missions and sector-specific programmes, which link startups with funding, industry partners and mentoring. —TNS