'Himalayan Declaration' to protect region
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COMMENTS 
A rough draft of the ‘Himalayan Declaration’ that is to be discussed for a full year was released at a function held at the Gandhi Peace Foundation in Delhi to commemorate the first ‘Himalayan Day’, observed on September 9
Activists, led by noted environmentalist Sunderlal Bahuguna and Gandhi Peace Foundation Chairperson Radha Behen, on September 9, 2010, released a rough draft of the ‘Himalayan Declaration,’ also known as the ‘Himalayan People’s Manifesto’, demanding that the government frame a policy to protect the region.
It will be discussed and finalised by September 9 next year, after a year-long debate and deliberations. Bahuguna said: “The relevance of this day is to attract people’s attention to the Himalayas. The region is a storehouse of natural resources; it meets 40% of the demand for water in several countries, including India. Any damage to this region will have serious consequences.”
Radha Behen added: “If development is happening at the cost of the commercial exploitation of forests, dams and mines, the definition of development needs to be reviewed.” Also present was Dr Anil Joshi, pioneer of the organisation Himalayan Environmental Studies and Conservation Organisation, in Dehra Dun.
Some of the concerns the draft addresses relate to the construction of dams, heavy industry and hydro-electricity projects that damage the environment and uproot people.
Source: The Indian Express, September 10, 2010
Press Trust of India, September 10, 2010