“We pledge to define a new, science-based, PEOPLE CENTRIC sustainable and resilient development model for the Himalaya” was the clarion call given through the ‘Dehradun Declaration" at the end of two days of the Sustainable Mountain Development Summit - XII Dehradun organised by the Integrated Mountain Initiative. The summit titled “Changing Agro-Ecological Landscape & Disasters in Himalaya: Resilience Building and Policy Imperatives for Viksit Bharat” called on the need for establishing a dedicated Cell or Centre for Strategic Environmental Planning and Green Infrastructure for the IHR within NITI Aayog in the backdrop of increasing disasters in the Himalaya as well the changing agroecological systems that threaten food, nutrition and livelihood security in the Indian Himalayan Region.

The 12th Sustainable Mountain Development Summit (SMDSXII), organized by the Integrated Mountain Initiative (IMI), at Doon University was inaugurated by Uttarakhand’s Minister for Forests, Language, and Technical Education, Mr. Subodh Uniyal.
SMDSXII started with a 2 minute silence in MEMORY of the lives, livelihoods lost in the recent disasters in the Indian Himalayan Region and beyond. Mr Uniyal highlighted the Himalayan region’s critical role in providing nearly 70 PERCENT of India’s water supply, even as it continues to face recurring climate disasters. Expressing deep concern over the heavy loss of lives and property caused by this year’s monsoon across Himalayan states, he called for a coordinated, nature-aligned, and community-driven development plan. “Our water, forests, and land are the foundation of life. The deep bond that local residents share with nature has always ensured both its preservation and sustainable use,” he said.
Delivering the keynote address, Prof. Anil Kumar Gupta observed that although policies often mention environmental priorities, in practice they rarely reflect truly nature-compatible approaches. He stressed that sustainable development in the Himalaya requires combining modern science and technology with traditional wisdom and knowledge. Prof. Gupta also raised concerns over the growing pressure of religious and leisure tourism, warning that “while tourism generates income, it is leaving the mountains choked with plastic waste and pushing them into ecological vulnerability.”
Former IAS officer and IMI President Mr. Ramesh Negi remarked that the Himalayas can no longer withstand unplanned development. “We must adopt a path that is both scientifically sound and ensures the safety of our people,” he said.
IMI Secretary Mr. Roshan Rai highlighted the organization’s initiatives and the context of increasing frequency and magnitude of disaster in the Himalaya that calls on rethinking our development trajectories as well as factoring climate change impacts at the landscape level, whil Treasurer Mrs. Binita Shah proposed the vote of thanks.

Dr Devinder Sharma AN EXPERT ON FOOD SAFETY AND AGRICULTURE laid the context with his keynote address recognizing the potential for resilience building through agroecology especially from the Indian Himalayan Region. He called on the need for a change in narrative of our traditional farming systems over the global industrial food complex and media promotion. He stressed the need for all participants of SMDSXII to demand safe, healthy and fair food that will pressurise the market to supply it as well as incentivise farmers.

Mountain Legislators Meet chaired by Uttarakhand Assembly Speaker, Ms. Ritu Khanduri Bhushan, witnessed in-depth deliberations among legislators, scientists, and experts on the challenges and solutions of sustainable development in the light of increasing disaster in the Himalaya.Distinguished participants included Mr. Nabam Tuki (former Chief Minister, Arunachal Pradesh), Mr. Munna Singh Chauhan, Mr. Kishore Upadhyay, Ms. Savita Kapoor, Mr. Brijbhushan Gairola, Ms. Asha Nautiyal (MLA, Uttarakhand), Ms. Anuradha Rana (MLA, Himachal Pradesh), Ms. Hekani Jakhalu, Mr. Wangpang Konyak (Nagaland), and Mr. Tikender S. Panwar (former Mayor, Himachal Pradesh). Also present were IMI President Mr. Ramesh Negi (Retd. IAS), former IMI President Mr. P.D. Rai, MLM Convenor and Mr. Anoop Nautiyal.

Addressing the gathering, Speaker Ms. Ritu Khanduri said, “The Himalaya is an extremely sensitive region where life requires resilience. We must frame policies that ensure active participation of local communities. Only by integrating science with traditional knowledge can we secure a prosperous future for the Himalayas and the generations to come.” She further emphasized the need for a coordinated approach to Himalayan research, innovations, policy-making building on traditional knowledge across all Himalayan states that build resilience especially against disasters.
Member of Parliament and former Chief Minister Mr. Trivendra Singh Rawat stated that development in the Himalayas cannot be measured merely in terms of roads and buildings. “True development must link conservation of natural resources with the livelihoods of local communities. Ongoing efforts in this direction must be accelerated,” he said.
Mr. Tikender S. Panwar called for redefining the concepts of development, aspiration, and necessity. He stressed that for us in the Himalaya we are victims of the extractive development process that comes from beyond the Himalaya.

Around 250 officials, scientists, farmers and social workers participated in the inaugural session of the summit. Farmers, both men and women, from remote Himalayan regions of Sikkim, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand took active part in the proceedings. An exhibition of local products was also set up at the venue, which drew considerable attention from participants.

The Summit had 7 technical sessions that focussed on the changing agroecological landscape, climate change, water and disaster in the Indian Himalayan Region and pathways to resilience building that is central to the vision of Viksit Bharat. In the valedictory Session Leads highlighted critical issues such as strengthening mountain agroecology, addressing the rising frequency of mountain disasters, and the urgent need for region-specific policies. Discussions also emphasized community-driven resilience, risk-sensitive planning, and integrated water resource management as essential approaches for the future. . Key recommendations included the establishment of dedicated mountain policy and decision-making bodies at the national level, supported by participatory planning processes and adequate financial allocation. “We hereby resolve to elevate the voices of our mountain communities. These above measures we believe are essential for a sustainable, equitable and climate resilient Himalaya that is vital for achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat.” (Dehradun Declaration)

The two-day summit drew around 250 participants, including scientists, policymakers, social workers, students, and farmers from Himalayan states. A special attraction was the exhibition of local food, handicrafts and publications at the venue, which highlighted the cultural and ecological richness of the region.