The Himalayan region is particularly vulnerable to climate change. It has been estimated that even if Planet Earth’s temperature were to increase by 1.5 degrees over pre-industrial age levels, in the Hindu Kush Himalayas, the temperature rise would be at least 0.3 degrees higher. What does this scenario portend? The melting of glaciers leads to glacial lake outburst floods, recurring landslides due to soil erosion, and the overall cascading impacts of environmental disasters. Therefore, the need for solutions that mitigate warming risks and limit damage to natural biodiversity, as well as to existing infrastructure and economic activity, has to be the cornerstone of development strategies.
The Indian Himalayan region is a globally significant ecological hotspot, which contains 36% of India’s forests, 44% of its flora, and 100% of its glaciers and alpine zones. Regular assessment of the Himalayan climatic zone, setting up a Himalayan Young Researchers Forum, and creating a knowledge repository so that co-designing, co-learning, and co-creation of models become concrete outcomes, all have to be taken up in mission mode.
For instance, conservation of soil through the systematic planting of vetiver grass has been found successful in stabilising slopes, controlling runoff, and reducing sediment loss. Another initiative is Dhara Vikas in Sikkim, which has resulted in the recharge of 900 million litres of groundwater.
Similarly, passive solar-heated buildings that utilise architectural design elements such as building orientation, insulation, window placement, etc., and maximise energy efficiency while enhancing thermal comfort, are another example of innovation that needs to be replicated. For policymakers, it is important to take these innovative solutions to a wider audience and modify scheme guidelines wherever required.
Under the National Mission for Himalayan Studies, there are a number of research projects that are rooted in primary research and have been validated through ground-level impact assessment. One innovation is technology that can predict landslides on the basis of rainfall patterns. In fact, climate modelling for rainfall prediction will aid farmers in deciding the crop type and, indeed, the entire cycle of planting and harvesting.
Purification of water and treatment of wastewater for productive activities like hydroponic farming, or the use of pine needles—which are otherwise fire hazards—for recycling domestic waste effluent, are some innovative models. Similarly, sericulture waste or waste from tea plantations can be effectively utilised for making burn ointments and plastic substitutes, respectively.
Infrastructure such as roads in the Himalayan region is a felt need, because connectivity is vital for sustained economic growth in remote and far-flung areas. But taking into account the negative impact of construction-related technology is equally important. Research and innovation towards the use of cold bituminous-based eco-friendly technology and the development of sustainable road pavements using geosynthetics are prime examples of innovations that have huge potential for ground-level application. Similarly, building houses by utilising local materials like bamboo, or the establishment of grid-connected rural microgrids with solar energy-based potable drinking water treatment units, or the use of biomass pellet-based fuel—all these can bring ease of living to the local population.
Him-Connect should showcase its models and innovations that support nature and are supported by it to startups, entrepreneurs, academics, researchers, policymakers, and scientists. The most critical aspect of a long-term sustainable strategy that can ensure environmental sustainability is that all players are involved. In other words, recognition of the problems and ownership of the solutions by all stakeholders—namely civil society, the community, policymakers, and businesses—is key to ensuring success in strategy implementation.
Science and economics have to be blended into policy and practice, and creatively designed financing schemes that foster innovation have to be piloted and scaled up. When research yields scientific solutions, taking forward these results by mainstreaming them into schemes and programmes through a time-bound, measurable, ground-based monitoring system is most important. Some isolated voices can create a beautiful melody, but only when amplified do they have the potential to echo and resonate.
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