These reports list challenges in all defined 5 thematic areas & discuss significance, challenges, ongoing actions & future roadmap.
Background on Formation of 5 Thematic Reports on Sustainable Development in Indian Himalayan Region
These reports were prepared by 5 working groups which were set up by NITI Aayog in June 2017 to prepare roadmap for actions in 5 thematic areas that are quite significant for Himalayas.
Inventory & Revival of Springs in Himalayas for Water Security
Sustainable Tourism in Indian Himalayan Region
Transformative Approach to Shifting Cultivation
Strengthening Skill & Entrepreneurship Landscape in Himalayas
Data & Information for Informed Decision Making.
These working groups were constituted after NITI Aayog recognized that Himalayan Mountains require specific solutions for resilience building that address socio-economic & environmental challenges in mountain setting.
Key Features of 5 Thematic Reports
Inventory and Revival of Springs in Himalayas for Water Security
Nearly 30% of springs, crucial to water security of people in Himalayas are drying & 50% have reported reduced discharge.
There is need for spring mapping & revival by using 8 steps protocol that must be taken up across Himalayan States in phased manner.
It calls for setting up of Mission on Spring Water Management in Himalayas.
Sustainable Tourism in Indian Himalayan Region
Himalayan Tourism is growing annually at 6.8% & has created huge challenge related to solid waste, water, traffic, loss of bio-cultural diversity etc.
Projected arrival of tourists will be more than double by 2025.
Urgent actions are needed to address issues of waste management & water crisis.
Concept of carrying capacity must be applied to all major tourist destinations.
Besides tourism sector standards must be implemented & monitored.
Performance based incentives must be approved for states.
Himalayan Authority must be launched for coordinated & holistic development of entire Himalayan region.
“Himalaya Calling: An Awareness to Action Campaign” must be launched as people՚s movement.
Transformative Approach to Shifting Cultivation
Thousands of households in north eastern states, continue to practice shifting cultivation i.e.. slash & burn (Jhum cultivation) which needs to be addressed in view of ecological, food & nutritional security.
There is urgent need for assessment of nature & extent of shifting cultivation area.
There is need for improved policy coherence, strengthened tenurial security & improved access to related programs for transform shifting cultivation.
National Mission⟋Program on Transforming Shifting Cultivation in North Eastern States must be set up.
Strengthening Skill and Entrepreneurship Landscape in Himalayas
Himalayan states face severe challenge of unskilled workforce & migration of youths.
There is urgent need to strengthen skill & entrepreneurship workforce in Himalayan region w⟋required focus on identified priority sectors where mountains have advantage, along w⟋investment in trainers, assessors & setting up training centers w⟋industry partnership.
There is need to set up demand driven network of skill & entrepreneurship development Centers in Himalayan States along w⟋consortium of institutions of high learning for mountain specific research & technology.
Data⟋Information for Informed Decision Making
Himalayan states face challenges related to data availability, data authenticity, compatibility, data quality, validation, user charges.
It needs to be addressed for informed decision making at diff. levels of governance. Central Data Management Agency for Himalayas must be set up to provide data w⟋high fidelity scenario.
It will help in addressing data sharing, access, authenticity & comparability issues.
It should be linked with Hindukush Himalaya Monitoring & Assessment program (HIMAP) .
Central Data Management Agency for Himalayan Database must be set up at GB Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment & Development.