Bhupender Yadav, Union Minister for Environment, Forests, and Climate Change, attended the inaugural session of the Sustainable Mountain Development Summit-XI (SMDS-XI), which will be held in Leh, Ladakh UT from October 10 to 12, 2022.
SMDS-theme XI's is 'Harnessing tourism for sustainable mountain development.' The summit's main goal is to reduce tourism's negative impacts while maximising its positive contributions to climate and socio-ecological resilience and sustainability. He stated in his speech that visiting Ladakh is always refreshing because of its beautiful landscape and magnificent mountains. IMI's core activity will be the integration of science and policy; in light of this, he proposed that the uniqueness of cultures and environments become an essential part of such summits.
He also emphasised the establishment of the G.B. Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment (GBPNIHE) and its one Regional Centre in Leh under the MOEFCC, which is specifically mandated on research and development activities for the Himalayan environment's sustainability. He emphasised that the country's diverse landscapes, such as the Himalayas, Western Ghats, and Thar desert, require special attention from the scientific community.
During the event, another important aspect that was mentioned was youth capacity building, so that it does not only focus on literacy for employment but also on the preservation of local culture, environmental protection, and the development of scientific integrity among youth.
MOEF&CC R&D organisations such as GBPNIHE, ZSI, BSI, and WII have been conducting research on a variety of pertinent issues such as plant genetics for rapid breeding, digitization of Indian flora and fauna, and reintroduction of Cheetahs in India to correct ecological wrong to ecological right. The government has schemes such as Skill India and various portals such as National Career Service Portal, e-Shram Portal, Udyami and ASEEM portals, among others, that promote financial literacy and integrated capacity building even in remote areas of the country.
The National Career Service Portal already has 1 crore applicants and 10 lakh employers, providing 4.28 lakh job opportunities, the most so far. This portal is being improved further. Yadav emphasised that the ease of doing business is as important as the ease of living, and the MoEF&CC is working on this. During COP-26 in Glasgow, Prime Minister Harper emphasised the importance of the world moving toward Mission Lifestyle for the Environment (LiFE). The government encourages mindful resource use rather than mindless resource use. Ideas for such practises can be found in our culture and traditions.
All of these values are shared by the people who live in the harsh Himalayan conditions, and the region is popular not only for tourism but also for cultural harmony. We have many assets, such as Buddhist monasteries, which serve as a symbol of peace in a world filled with stress, depression, and anxiety.
He emphasised that solar power is a significant source of energy, and our Prime Minister has travelled the world to promote solar energy. India founded the International Solar Alliance, which now has 106 members worldwide. The Prime Minister emphasised the concept of "One Sun, One World, One Grid" in Glasgow, which was applauded by the international community. To address the issue of loss and damage caused by climate change, India and the United Kingdom formed the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI).
The Minister also stated that the work on connecting remote landscapes through the construction of tunnels such as the Atal Tunnel and the ongoing Zoji La Tunnel will reduce carbon emissions in the mountain environment.
He suggested that the youth follow the LiFE formula in its entirety to ensure a sustainable future for our country. He expressed optimism about the Prime Minister's vision of "Carbon Neutral Ladakh." "When every individual thinks of national good when every nation thinks of global good, then sustainable development will become a reality," the Union Minister concluded, quoting the Prime Minister.
The Sustainable Mountain Development Summit (SMDS) is the IMI's flagship annual event. IMI is a civil society-led forum that works across the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR), which includes ten mountain states, two union territories, and four hill districts. The Mountain Legislators' Meet (MLM) and the Indian Himalayan Youth Summit are two essential components of the SMDS, in addition to the main event.
