As the State machinery prepares for speeches and performances to mark 14 years of the State’s creation on Sunday, those well versed in the history, culture and environment of Uttarakhand believe that the condition of the environment and culture here has been on a downward spiral since it attained Statehood.
Due to the absence of specific policies and an apathetic establishment, the agricultural land continues to shrink fueling migration of people from the mountainous regions. The authorities remain apathetic to the 13 languages of the State while talking of establishing Urdu and Punjabi academies.
Noted folk singer Narendra Singh Negi states that the culture and environment of Uttarakhand have suffered more damage since State formation.
“Politicians and bureaucrats have developed an inferiority complex when it comes to the languages and culture of Uttarakhand. The State Government talks of Urdu and Punjabi academies whereas these languages are being accorded enough attention in other States while there is no talk of native languages. The politicians seem to think that Uttarakhand is without its own culture so no value is accorded to the State’s artistes or languages. During his tenure as the Chief Minister, ND Tiwari had formed an 18-member Sahitya Kala Sanskriti Parishad of which I was also a member. I had resigned within a year because the suggestions we had made were being ignored. The State Government remains apathetic to the culture, languages and literature of Uttarakhand,” he said.
Himalayan Environmental Studies and Conservation Organisation (HESCO) founder Dr Anil Joshi believes that Uttarakhand’s environment and culture have undergone degeneration since State formation.
“What are we boasting about 14 years after State formationIJ Before creation of Uttarakhand, 13 per cent of this region was used for farming whereas since State formation the agricultural land area has shrunk to about five per cent. Agriculture is linked to the jungles, water resources, and much more in Uttarakhand where once 90 per cent of the people were linked to farming. Changes in the cultural scenario since State formation are also disappointing,” he said, while adding that the public needs to seek an explanation from the political executive about what successive State Governments have done since Uttarakhand’s creation.
According to historian, writer and founder of People's Association for Himalaya Area Research (PAHAR), Dr Shekhar Pathak, chief minister Harish Rawat has taken some good decisions regarding the environment but the benefit of these will depend on their implementation.
“On the cultural front, the absence of a culture policy is being felt in the State. Of the 13 languages spoken in Uttarakhand, no effort was made for inclusion of even the prominent languages- Garhwali, Kumaoni and Jaunsari in the eighth schedule of the Constitution. There are various micro-cultures in Uttarakhand and a scientifically drafted culture policy is much needed to provide a platform for all cultural expressions and conserve the culture and diversity of Uttarakhand,” he said.