September 28, 2025, Gangtok — The 12th Sustainable Mountain Development Summit concluded with experts, policymakers, and scientists from Himalayan states calling for development policies specifically designed for the mountain region’s unique challenges and needs.
The two-day summit, organized by Integrated Mountain Initiative at Doon University, brought together legislators, scientists, and mountain experts. They discussed sustainable development solutions for the Himalayan region facing increasing disaster risks.
Uttarakhand Assembly Speaker Ritu Khanduri emphasized resilience building. “The Himalayas is an extremely sensitive region where life requires resilience. We must frame policies that ensure active participation of local communities,” she said.
The Mountain Legislators Meet was chaired by Uttarakhand Assembly Speaker and included former Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Nabam Tuki. Participants discussed challenges and solutions for sustainable mountain development with community involvement.
Chief guest Trivendra Singh Rawat, former Uttarakhand Chief Minister, stressed linking development with natural resource conservation. “True development must link conservation of natural resources with the livelihoods of local communities. Ongoing efforts in this direction must be accelerated,” he stated.
Speaker Nabam Tuki highlighted the importance of scientific construction practices in mountain regions. Munna Singh Chauhan emphasized traditional wisdom in settlement and water management for mountain areas.
Several speakers called for redefining development concepts, aspiration, and necessity for Himalayan context. They warned against treating Himalayas as victims of extreme development processes without proper consultation.
Dr. Durgesh Pant from UCOST shared key research findings. Environmentalist Dr. Ravi Chopra presented detailed studies on climate change and adaptation strategies for mountain communities.
The session began with welcome remarks by Binita Shah, who briefed participants about IMI’s objectives. Anoop Nautiyal presented an eight-point agenda for policy-making tailored to Himalayan States.
Three parallel sessions focused on climate change adaptation, disaster preparedness, and sustainable water management. Session leads highlighted strengthening mountain agroecology, addressing rising mountain disasters, and urgent need for region-specific policies.
Key recommendations included establishing dedicated mountain policy and decision-making bodies at national level, supported by participatory planning processes and adequate financial allocation. Experts emphasized community-driven resilience and risk-sensitive planning.
The summit concluded with adoption of the “Dehradun Declaration,” reaffirming collective commitment to sustainable and inclusive mountain development across Himalayan states.
A special attraction was the exhibition of local products at the venue, highlighting the cultural and ecological richness of the region.