This editorial analysis discusses the significant matter of restoring the ecological health of the Himalayas, one of the world’s most vital and vulnerable ecosystems. The discussion centres around the importance of understanding and implementing sustainable population controls in the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR), the role of the Expert Committee in ensuring these measures, and the essential need to incorporate social dimensions into sustainability evaluations.
A successful long-term solution should focus on sustainable capacity, encompassing food, water, habitat, ecology, and agriculture, with a strong emphasis on citizen representation and local government involvement.
Also Read | The Case For A Region-Specific EIA In The Indian Himalayan Region
Supreme Court Inquiry On Carrying Capacity Of Indian Himalayan Region (IHR)
- The environmental destruction witnessed in the Himalayan states of Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Sikkim has reignited the discussion surrounding the regions’ “carrying capacity” of the Indian Himalayan region.
- The Supreme Court of India recently asked the Union government for advice on the carrying capacity of the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR). This includes the carrying capacity of cities and towns in the region.
- The request came as a response to a petition filed by a retired bureaucrat.
Proposal By The Union Government
- The Union Government suggests the Director of the G.B. Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment to lead the carrying capacity assessment.
- It proposes the assessment should cover all 13 Himalayan States and Union Territories.
Suggested Members Of The Technical Support Group
The technical support group proposed by the government has suggested to include representatives from various institutes and authorities. This includes:
- National Institute of Disaster Management, Bhopal
- Indian Institute of Remote Sensing, Dehradun
- National Environmental Engineering Research Institute, Nagpur
- Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, Dehradun
- School of Planning and Architecture
- State disaster management authorities
- Geological Survey of India
- Survey of India
- Central Pollution Control Board
- Central Ground Water Board
Government’s Request To The Court
The Government has requested that the Court ask the Himalayan States/ Union Territories to establish a committee headed by the State’s Chief Secretary. The Chief Secretary should induct members as needed.
Understanding Carrying Capacity
- Carrying capacity is a technical term.
- It refers to the maximum number of people an ecosystem can support without causing harm.
- This support should be sustainable over a specific period.
- It should not cause harm to the natural resources or the overall health of the area.
- Carrying capacity is vital for keeping a balance.
- This balance is between human activities and the preservation of nature.
- Understanding it ensures the long-term sustainability of our ecosystems.
Government Initiatives For Development In The IHR
- The Union government has launched several development initiatives in the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR).
- The National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem was launched in 2010.
- The Indian Himalayas Climate Adaptation Programme is another significant initiative.
- The government has also initiated the Secure Himalaya Project.
- On January 30, 2020, the government released new guidelines on ‘Carrying Capacity in the IHR.’
- On May 19, 2023, the Ministry of Environment and Forest issued a reminder to all states.
- The reminder directed states to submit their action plan (carrying capacity) in case they hadn’t undertaken such a study.
Way Forward
Focus Should Be On The Entire Himalayan Region
- The full Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) needs attention, not just the carrying capacity of towns and cities.
- Sustainable population in the Himalayan States should be the emphasis of any plan for the Indian Himalayan region.
- The up-and-coming inquiry should prioritise the sustainable population’s carrying capacity across the different Himalayan states.
The Role Of The Expert Committee
- Long-term assessment of the overall sustainable capacity of each state’s environment is crucial, encompassing all biological species, food, water, habitat, ecology, and agriculture.
- The Expert Committee must focus on the population sustainability’s social aspects.
- The committee should include citizen representation from panchayats and other local urban bodies, ideally making up at least one-third of the committee.
Evaluating The Social Dimension of Sustainability
- The Expert Committee needs to direct each local government centre to respond to the well-established population sustainability criteria.
- Each panchayat samiti and municipality should present its recommendations based on these criteria.
G.B. Pant National Institute Of Himalayan Environment
- The G.B. Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment (previously known as G.B. Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment & Development) was established in 1988-89.
- It was founded during the birth centenary year of Bharat Ratna Pt. Govind Ballabh Pant.
- The institute operates autonomously under the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEF&CC), Govt. of India.
- It serves to advance scientific knowledge, create integrated management strategies, and demonstrate effectiveness for conservation of natural resources.
- Its focus spans the entire Indian Himalayan Region (IHR), aiming to balance socio-cultural, ecological, economic, and physical systems to achieve sustainability.
- The institute champions a multidisciplinary and holistic approach in all its Research and Development programmes.
- It emphasises the interlinking of natural and social sciences.
- Special attention is devoted to preserving fragile mountain ecosystems, indigenous knowledge systems, and promoting sustainable use of natural resources.
- The institute actively involves local communities to ensure long-term acceptance and success of various programmes.
- It incorporates Training, environmental education, and awareness as integral parts of all the R&D programmes.
Note: This editorial analysis is based on the article titled “Restoring the ecological health of the Himalayas”, published in The Hindu on October 23, 2023.