Eco-Tourism Master Plan for Himalayan Region to be Prepared: Bali
Environmental scholars and geography experts will be consulted to boost eco-tourism in the Himalayan region, with 19 villages set to be developed as eco-villages in the first phase. The coordination between environmentalists and geography experts will focus on promoting eco-tourism while ensuring environmental protection.
On Wednesday, R.S. Bali, Chairman of the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Corporation, inaugurated a two-day national seminar on “Geography, Disaster Management, and Sustainability in the Himalayas” at Dharmshala College. The seminar, organized in collaboration with the Himachal Pradesh Geography Society and the college’s Geography Department, highlighted the need for urgent action to address climate change and its impacts on the region. Bali emphasized that climate change is endangering people and wildlife in the Himalayas, as glaciers melt and form lakes that could potentially burst and cause downstream flooding. Additionally, the drying up of traditional water sources has further strained the region’s water supply.
Bali stressed the importance of geographers playing an active role in addressing these challenges and raising public awareness about environmental conservation. He noted that Himachal Pradesh has been selected to participate in the second phase of climate optimization and finance projects under the collaboration of GIZ, making it a leader in environmental protection at the national level.
He also mentioned that funds have been allocated to various institutions for research and development in the field of environment and climate studies. The initial phase of the Model Eco Village Plan will see 19 villages developed to promote sustainable living and eco-tourism.
The seminar’s keynote speaker, Professor H.N. Mishra from Allahabad University, delivered a lecture on the challenges and solutions for geography, disaster management, and sustainability in the Himalayas. Other notable speakers included retired professor Dr. Bhupendra Singh Madh and President of the Himachal Pradesh Geography Society, D.D. Sharma, who shared their insights on the subject.
Earlier in the event, Dharmshala College Principal Rakesh Pathania and Dr. B.R. Thakur, Secretary of the Himachal Pradesh Geography Society, presented the seminar’s annual report while welcoming the chief guest. On this occasion, Bali also released a souvenir and the book Arthas: Aerial Insight by Dr. Satindra Malik. Experts, researchers, and seminar convenor Sanjay Singh Pathania, along with Mayor Neenu Sharma, were also present at the event.
