People for Himalaya' Campaign Gains Momentum, Champions Sustainable Mountain Futures

In response to the escalating environmental crises and disasters gripping the Himalayan region, over 50 social and environmental organizations, along with concerned individuals, have united under the 'People for Himalaya' campaign. This collective effort aims to address the systemic causes of climatic disasters and advocate for democratic and decentralized governance, policy shifts, and sustainable practices in the Himalayan states.

The campaign gained momentum after a two-day dialogue titled 'Himalaya, Disaster and People,' held on February 27-28, where a comprehensive declaration was formulated and subsequently released. The document emphasizes the urgent need for a governance overhaul based on principles of sustainability, equity, and climate justice.

The Himalayan region has been under the spotlight due to catastrophic events such as the land subsidence in Joshimath, Uttarakhand, disasters in Himachal, and tragic floods on the Teesta river in the Eastern Himalayas. Climate scientists warn of both extreme events and slow-onset climatic changes, threatening the livelihoods of millions of mountain-dependent people.

The declaration asserts that these disasters are not merely 'natural' but are systemic and policy-induced, resulting from historical exploitation of natural resources and governance failures. Signatories from states including Assam, Arunachal, Manipur, Sikkim, Uttarakhand, Himachal, Jammu and Kashmir declare their refusal to label these events as 'natural' disasters.

The campaign targets decision-makers at various levels, holding them accountable for the commodification of the Himalaya. It condemns mindless infrastructures like mega dams, four-lane highways, railway projects, commercial tourism, and rampant urbanization that have caused unprecedented land-use changes and damaged Himalayan ecosystems.

The 'People for Himalaya' campaign advocates for the preservation of local societal and livelihood resilience, highlighting the destructive impact of top-down, market-dependent, and techno-managerial solutions. The declaration also addresses the inadequate post-disaster support from the central government and the limited participation of local bodies in governance planning.

The campaign's signatories include nearly 60 organizations such as "Affected Citizens of Teesta, Sikkim," "AIPWA, Uttarakhand," "Appiko-Chipko Movement, Karnataka," "Bhumi Heen Bhumi Adhikar Manch, Himachal," "Chamba Van Adhikar Manch, Himachal,", "Climate Front India and others.

The 'People for Himalaya' campaign stands in alliance with organizations advocating for democratic and decentralized governance in the Himalaya. Their forthcoming detailed demand charter is expected to outline specific measures for the well-being and sustenance of the Himalayan natural heritage, emphasizing glaciers, rivers, alpine pastures, forests, lands, and diverse inhabitants. The campaign seeks to champion sustainability, guided by a balance between science and indigenous knowledge, gender, caste, ethnic, and intergenerational equity, and climate justice.