The Chipko Movement leader and noted activist Chandi Prasad Bhatt said that the Himalayan region is experiencing the effects of lack of political will and absence of ground level implementation of various environmental laws.
He said this while delivering the second RS Tolia memorial lecture on the occasion of International Mountain Day at the regional science centre of the Uttarakhand State Council for Science and Technology (UCOST) here on Monday. The theme of his lecture was ‘Himalaya- sensitivity, threats and challenges’.
Speaking on the occasion Bhatt also talked about the former chief secretary of Uttarakhand, the late RS Tolia and his visionary steps related to the Himalaya. He gave a presentation on disasters, various river basins, a brief description of flora and fauna of Himalayan region and various other movements for protection of environment.
Earlier, the UCOST director general Rajendra Dobhal gave an introduction to the lecture and the importance of International Mountain Day for the Himalayan communities.
He said that Tolia started the movement and united the people of not only 12 Himalayan states but also of eight Hindukush countries. RS Tolia memorial lecture will be organized every year by UCOST, SDFU and GBPNIHESD, he said.
Dobhal also highlighted the migration issues that were happening in not just the Himalayan region but across the world.
The former vice chancellor of Garhwal Central University, AN Purohit and retired bureaucrat NS Napalchyal also gave some suggestions for conservation and protection of the Himalaya.