Noted scholars, retired bureaucrats and subject experts, among others, have come together to establish Sustainable Development Forum (SDF) in Uttarakhand to work on issues and concerns including water, climate change, livelihoods, energy, Himalayan ecosystem and other issues of importance to the mountainous regions. Three ex-chief secretaries of Uttarakhand, one ex-principal secretary and the current chairman of the State finance commission of Uttarakhand have been named as counsellors to the forum with Uttarakhand State Council for Science and Technology (UCOST) director general Rajendra Dobhal being nominated as chairman of SDF.
According to information provided by UCOST, three former chief secretaries RS Toliya, NS Napchyal and N Ravishankar, ex- principal secretary Vibha Puri Das and the present chairman of the State finance commission, Professor BK Joshi were named counsellors to the forum which is expected to aid in development of the state and socio-economic condition of its people while also helping in the drafting of policy initiatives through sustainable development in the entire mountainous region of Uttarakhand.
Organic farming specialist and secretary of SDF, Binita Shah informed that several national and international environmental and subject matter experts from the field have also been included in the forum. She further informed that while UCOST director general Rajendra Dobhal was nominated as the forum chairman while senior forest officer STS lepcha was made the vice chairman. The SDF will work in coordination with International Mountain Initiative (IMI) as a network partner and will help in achieving its objectives through its work in Uttarakhand. This initiative will help in collaborative initiative of constituents from grassroots to policy making by united organisations and people from the political system, government, academics, civil society, media etc working towards the common vision and mission. It will focus its efforts towards enabling grassroots organisations and impacting policy changes from the perspective of the mountain people. The forum aims to help in drawing expertise from research and field experiences and channelise it towards actively shaping the discourse and narratives involving mountain regions. It will also help in providing a platform for networking, sharing and bringing issues of mountains at a national level, for benefit of all stakeholders.
According to UCOST scientist DP Uniyal, the forum will help in developing or catalysing meaningful pilot efforts for applying innovative ideas and experimentation in diverse socio-economic and geographical conditions. It will also encourage integrated studies and consultancies related to developmental, ecological, governance challenges and emerging issues which are faced by the people of Uttarakhand. The forum will also help in establishment of database on the Himalayan region and its varied aspects including populations, organisations and activists working in the field, said Uniyal.