Shimla, September 16
A diverse group of environmentalists, experts, ecologists, and scientists has gathered in Shimla to strategize on transforming Himalayan cities into climate-smart hubs amid the changing climate. The day-long consultation, held in the north Indian hill town, of Shimla, on Monday, was organized jointly by Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) India Office and SPROUTS Environmental Trust.
The day-long consultation addressed climate change-related challenges impacting building typology, legacy waste, and agro-forestry in Himalayan cities. It is designed to foster solution-oriented discussions and create networking opportunities among sector experts, urbanists, architects, planners, municipal authorities, state officials, service providers, policymakers, and citizens.
The event was inaugurated by Justice Rajeev Sharma, retired Judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, and Anil Joshi, Member Secretary of the Pollution Control Board, Himachal Pradesh.
Richard Kaniewski, Deputy Country Director of Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) India, opened the consultation. Notable attendees include Tikender Singh Panwar, former Deputy Mayor of Shimla; Pushpinder Rana, APCCF (Wildlife) with the HP Forest Department; Rajeev Sharma, Chief Architect for the Government of Himachal Pradesh; Surinder Chauhan, Mayor of Shimla Municipal Corporation; and other senior government officials.
Tikender Singh Panwar an environmentalist and former Deputy Mayor of Shimla city emphasised the need to address the impacts of climate change on infrastructure in the Himalayan region. He noted the challenges posed by increased rainfall and erosion, stressing the importance of sustainable development and proper mapping of vulnerable zones.
"The objective is to understand how climate change is impacting infrastructure in the Himalayas and to explore sustainable development solutions," Panwar said.
Richard Kaniewski, Deputy Country Director of Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) India highlighted the importance of collective action in addressing climate change. "Today, we come together to discuss how we can each contribute to combating climate change. This workshop is crucial as climate change remains one of the most pressing issues of the 21st century," Kaniewski remarked.
Mandvi Kulshreshtha, Senior Program Adviser at Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) India, elaborated on the goals of the consultation. "This event is part of our broader dialogue on sustainability. By focusing on making Himalayan cities climate-smart, we aim to integrate social justice with urban development. It's crucial to address both climate and social justice in our planning," Kulshreshtha explained.
Ecologist and founder of SPROUTS Environmental Trust, Anand Pindarkar underscored the importance of raising awareness about environmental changes in the Himalayan region. "Our conference seeks to address the diverse environmental challenges faced by the Himalayas, from natural disasters to human impacts. We aim to foster stability and sustainable practices in response to these changes," Pindarkar stated.
The consultation promises to be a critical step toward developing climate-smart strategies for the unique challenges faced by Himalayan cities.