Dehradun, Sept. 10 -- Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Tuesday said that striking a balance between development and environmental protection is crucial for the conservation of the Himalayas, which face mounting threats from climate change and global warming Speaking at the Himalaya Bachao Abhiyan 2025 programme organised by Hindi daily Hindustan in Dehradun in connection with Himalaya Diwas (Himalaya Day) celebrations, Dhami said the state government is promoting forest and water conservation, plantation drives, clean energy, and environmental awareness campaigns to safeguard the Himalayan ecosystem. He also honoured individuals working in the field of Himalayan and environmental protection. "The Himalayas are not just snow-clad peaks but the very soul, culture, and lifeline of our country. The rivers originating from them sustain millions, while their rare biodiversity is an invaluable heritage. But today this treasure is under grave threat. Melting glaciers, rising rainfall intensity, cloudbursts and landslides are disturbing the balance of the Himalayas," Dhami said. The chief minister said that while development is important, it cannot come at the cost of environmental destruction. "We have to promote sustainable tourism and clean energy while minimising dependence on practices that damage our environment," he said. He pointed to the state's Digital Deposit Refund System for plastic waste, a scheme that incentivises returning used plastic bottles, noting that it has already reduced 72 tonnes of carbon emissions in the Himalayan region. Dhami said the government is paying equal attention to traditional conservation practices. "The people of the Himalayan region have always lived in harmony with nature. Their knowledge, culture, and traditions teach us to respect natural resources. Their experiences should be included in environmental policies," he said. Later in the day, at another function in connection with Himalaya Day celebrations here, Dhami reiterated his government's commitment to protecting the ecosystem. "The Himalayas are the sentinel of the nation and a source of life for the Indian subcontinent. From the high peaks to the vast glaciers and biodiversity-rich forests, everything here sustains not just Uttarakhand but the country," he said. Warning of ecological imbalance, the chief minister said, "Glaciers are melting at an alarming pace, raising the possibility of severe water crises in the future. Cloudbursts and landslides are increasing in frequency and intensity. Just recently our state faced several devastating disasters. We need to strengthen coordination with scientific institutions and experts to address these challenges effectively." Dhami reminded that last year, the state government had constituted a high-level committee to suggest measures for climate resilience. "In November this year, Uttarakhand will also host the World Disaster Management Conference on Climate Change. This global platform will help us share experiences and learn solutions," he said. The chief minister added that apart from government efforts, citizen participation is critical. "The protection of the Himalayas is not only the responsibility of the government but of every citizen. Each person must understand his or her duty. Small efforts like planting trees, saving water, and reducing plastic can make a big difference. We have also decided to celebrate Himalaya Awareness Week every year from September 2 to 9 to raise mass awareness," he said. Dhami emphasised that tourism, a major economic activity in Uttarakhand, must involve sustainably. "Uncontrolled and insensitive tourism is harming the environment. We need to promote sustainable models of tourism that support livelihoods," he added. Noted environmentalist Anil Prakash Joshi said the frequent disasters across the Himalayan belt this year underline the urgency of rethinking conservation strategies. "Year after year, the monsoon period has started to scare people in the region. We need to take measures to safeguard the environment," he said....