The Himalayas do not need people, rather the people need the Himalayas. They are also vital from strategic point of view, said Uttarakhand CM Trivendra Singh Rawat. He was speaking at the Conclave of Himalayan States in Shimla attended by the chief ministers and MPs of Himalayan States on Friday.
He said, “A major concern today regarding the Himalayas is the negative impact of global warming on these mountains. We are now forced to consider the vital need for conservation of the Himalayas.”
Referring to the impact of global warming on 968 glaciers in the Himalayas, he said that this also threatens the existence of perennial rivers originating from the Himalayas.
With 11 major rivers originating here, the Himalayan rivers meet about 65 %of the nation’s drinking water needs. Referring to decrease in agricultural land in the region due to human influence, he said that such land has decreased by about 50% in Uttarakhand to about seven lakh hectare. He also spoke about various decisions and measures taken by the state government for conservation and other purposes.
Union Minister of Agriculture, Radha Mohan Singh, Union minister of State for Home Affairs, Kiren Rijiju, Himachal Pradesh CM Jai Ram Thakur along with CMs of other Himalayan states were also present