SHIMLA:
Published on Jan 22, 2014
Having resorted to protest demonstration and agitation to save the fragile ecology of Himalayas from the destruction caused by slew of developmental projects in the Himalayan region, now green activists have started a unique programme with the sole objective of creating an army of youth fighting to save Himalayas from destruction. Recently a programme titled ‘Pahar aur Hum: Rethinking Development in the Himalayas’ concluded in picturesque town of Kandhbari near Palampur in Himachal Pradesh where 16 youth from Jammu-Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand quietly learnt the lessons on environmental issues for six days before returning to their states.
Organisers of the unique programme said that by educating youth about the environmental issues and creating awareness on complex social problems only effective change in the society could be brought. “If youth from Himalayan region would start showing concern for the fragile ecology, then no one would dare to cause damage to environment in coming time,” added the organizer.
Youth attending the programme were educated by green activists and university professors on issues related to geology, culture, forest resource management, agricultural crisis, climate change, significance of padyatra as a tool and exclusion of women and dalits. This programme jointly organised by Sambhaavnaa Institute of Public Policy and Politics and Himdhara Environment and Research Collective as a part of their effort to orient young participants to challenges facing the Himalayan region and to equip them with an understanding of possible initiatives and approaches that could be used for social change in their own areas.
Commenting on the programme, Manshi Asher of Himdhara said, “The intent of the programme was to not just expose the participants to the various issues but to also to help them understand the general approaches to finding solutions to complex social problems. We are looking forward to greater participation by socially and politically motivated youth next year”
Aditya Bahl, an engineer by qualification from Barmana (Bilaspur), who quit a conventional job and opted to bring about a change in the field of education, said “The usual course in our colleges and Universities is far removed from reality and is predominantly theoretical in nature. This programme gave us an insight into the real issues on the ground and has forced me to think more seriously to work for the betterment of the communities around us.”
Sumitra, who works for an NGO in Sangrah in Sirmour district, said “The sessions on Himalayan peculiarities, ecology and especially the Askot-Arakot Yatra of Uttarakhand were a new learning for me. It was also interesting to know the points of view of the diverse group of participants on various issues.”
Vinayak, an engineering student from Sundernagar, remarking about the wide range of topic covered in the programme and said, “The programme content was holistic and the sessions on Himalayan ecology and the issues of Dalits and women in the hills were eye-openers for me. The friendly nature of the participants and the host organisations made the setting conducive to learning of complex issues.”
