A growing crisis of water scarcity, waste management, and environmental degradation in the Himalayan region has prompted urgent calls for action from science and policy experts.
Delegates from Bhutan, Nepal, and India gathered in New Delhi on December 3 and 4, 2023, at the first-ever Parvat Manthan Regional Conclave, to address the mounting challenges faced by mountain and hill cities in the face of rapid urbanization and climate change.
Organized by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) and the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA), the conclave brought together experts, government officials, and environmentalists to discuss the escalating issues threatening the ecological balance and livelihoods of millions in these regions. The participants described the situation as an “emerging crisis” that requires immediate action and substantial investments in both policy and infrastructure to mitigate risks, including floods, droughts, and pollution.
“Hill cities in the Himalayan region play a critical role in maintaining ecological balance and supporting millions of livelihoods. However, these cities face unique and pressing challenges of accelerating climate change impacting resources, complex terrain limiting infrastructure development and service delivery, and unplanned urbanization,” said Dr. Debolina Kundu, Director (Additional Charge) of the NIUA.
Dr. Kundu emphasized the need for targeted, innovative, and sustainable approaches to address the challenges of water and waste management in these high-altitude cities. “The government’s efforts are directed towards improving the sustainability of hill cities by strengthening governance in areas falling within the rural-urban continuum, enhancing coordination between urban local bodies and parastatal agencies, building the capacity of officials, and implementing political-administrative reforms,” she said. She also noted that revenue generation capacities need to be strengthened, along with a greater allocation of grants from various levels of government.
A key concern raised by experts was the severe pollution of rivers and water sources in several cities. “In some cities and towns, we have treated rivers in a terrible fashion,” remarked Dr. Jagdish Krishnaswamy, Dean of the School of Environment and Sustainability (SES) at the Indian Institute for Human Settlements (IIHS), urging stakeholders not to repeat such mistakes in the Himalayan region.
The challenging terrain of the Himalayas, with its complex geography and fragile ecosystems, makes it essential to adopt context-specific solutions for addressing issues related to water, sanitation, and waste. Experts at the conclave highlighted the need for greater collaboration across borders, improved infrastructure planning, and more robust community awareness to tackle these interconnected crises.
Rajeev Kumar Mittal, Director General of the Government of India’s ₹22,500 crore river conservation project, the National Mission for Clean Ganga, stressed the importance of blending traditional practices with innovation and capacity building to achieve sustainable water management solutions.
Mitra Baral, Joint Secretary of Nepal’s Ministry of Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation, called for a more contextualized approach, emphasizing the need for peer learning and knowledge transfer across the region. “The challenges we face are common, and we must learn from one another to implement solutions that are both effective and sustainable,” Baral said.
Rinzin Dorji, Chief of Jigme Dorji National Park in Bhutan, highlighted the importance of increased financial support and strong local government involvement in waste segregation and management initiatives. He emphasized the need for community participation in ensuring the success of waste management programs.
Pragya Pradhan, programme manager at UN-Habitat Nepal, advocated for the localization of urban planning, stronger governance, and active community participation in order to address the region’s growing environmental challenges. She also called for the use of data and science to drive better urban planning in the Himalayas.
The Parvat Manthan platform, launched in 2023 by the NIUA, brings together the Indian Himalayan Region’s hill-states and other mountain states to advance inclusive, sustainable, and climate-resilient mountain settlements. Through knowledge exchange, the platform aims to promote the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those focused on clean water and sanitation (SDG 6), sustainable cities and communities (SDG 11), and climate action (SDG 13).
As the climate crisis accelerates, the urgency for a coordinated regional approach to water, waste, and environmental management in the Himalayas has never been greater. The call for stronger governance, enhanced financial support, and innovative solutions is critical to ensuring the resilience of mountain cities and their communities in the face of these challenges.