Eminent environmentalists, scientists, revered spiritual-religious leaders, dedicated members of the civil society and affected members of local population and esteemed members of administration came together in a conference organized by Ganga Action Parivar, Parmarth Niketan, GIWA-India and Navdanya, to share their experience, expertise and vision to pave the path to a Green Uttarakhand. The focus of the discussions was how to transform the recent tragic Himalayan Tsunami into an opportunity to develop sustainable, eco-friendly ways of growing in concert with the environment, thereby transforming a bane into a boon for the sacred and beautiful land of the Himalayas.
The event was initiated, led, guided and blessed by H.H. Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji, President of Parmarth Niketan and Founder of GIWA-India and Ganga Action Parivar. Amongst the numerous leaders, dignitaries, scientists and key institutes present in this important conference were:
· His Excellency the Governor of Uttarakhand, Dr. Aziz Qureshi
· Hon’ble Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, Shri Vijay Bahuguna
· Pujya M.M. Swami Avdheshanand Giri, Head Acharya of the Juna Akhara
· Pujya M.M. Swami Asanganand Saraswati
· Hon’ble Former Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’
· Renowned scientist and environmentalist and Founder of Navdanya, Dr. Vandana Shiva
· Bollywood actor and Humanitarian, Shri Vivek Oberoi and his wife Smt. Priyanka Alva Oberoi
· Pujya Prem Baba, Brazil
· Hon’ble DGP of Uttarakhand Police, Shri BS Sidhu
· Former Chief Secretary of Uttarakhand, Shri Raghuanand Tolia
· Former Member of Planning Commission, Shri Kamal Taori
· Director of ISRO, Dr. YN Krishnamurthy
· Himalayan Environmentalist and Forest Conservator, Shri Jagat Singh ‘Jangali’
· Founder and President of Himalaya Vahini, Shri Vijaypal Baghel
· Senior Geologist from GSI, Dr. SK Tripathi
· Professor of Wildlife Institute of India, Dr. VP Uniyal
· Former Senior Engineer of Central Water Commission, Er. Rajender Khanna
· Representatives of Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, HNB Garhwal University, Plan-India, WASH-India, United Religions Initiative (URI), Global Interfaith WASH Alliance and many others organizations.
Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji, inaugurating the conference urged the participants: “Let us take this opportunity to transform a bane into a boon. Let us take this ultimatum from Mother Ganga and vow to live in harmony with nature. In this way we can make our birthdays, our holidays, our New Years and every moment more green. Here, we all say “Har Har Gange!” But we also have to now say: “Herbal Gange!” where the land of Mother Ganga becomes herbal, organic, natural and free of all chemicals, toxins and pollution. We also need to say “Har bal Gange!” where everyone puts his/her strength (bal) together to serve this great, divine Mother Ganga, Mother Nature and Mother Earth who provide us our life.”
All those present shared their perspective of the necessity for a rejuvenated vision for development and construction in this mountainous state, a vision which takes into consideration the fragile Himalayan ecosystem, the precious and life-giving waters of Ganga, and the ancient culture/sanskriti of this land.
Vivek Oberoi said: “Pujya Swamiji’s great vision and tireless dedication from day one has continued to inspire and motivate all of us. His dynamic and innovative spirituality has brought us all together. Pujya Swamiji is a Green Saint with a Green Vision bringing us all together to be Green Heroes in our everyday lives. Let us work together to create Ganga Parivar Sevaks all along the banks of Mother Ganga and use Ganga Patrolling Systems, new technologies, to safeguard and restore our sacred rivers and preserve Mother Nature. ”
Shri Vijay Bahuguna, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Uttarakhand: “The main source of economy of Uttarakhand is based on the tourism sector. For the sake of our economy and our ecology, for the sake of our prosperity AND the preservation of our environment, we must ensure that we take care of and protect our natural resources. I am so impressed by the tireless commitment of Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji. He is a great leader and inspiration to all in this green movement. As we rebuild Uttarakhand we are absolutely ensuring a balance of ‘vikas’ with protection and preservation of our natural resources. We are ensuring that the development and construction is done in accordance with and in alignment with protection of our mountains and rivers.”
Dr. Vandana Shiva said: “Our rivers, mountains, trees are direct sources of our livelihoods and our lives. From the water we drink to the food we eat, everything is interconnected and feeds onto one another. The root of the words ‘economy’ and ‘ecology’ is the same: the root is ‘ecos’ which means ‘home.’ Uttarakhand is our home, and in this land our economy and our ecology must function in unity and unison for a healthy, naturally abundant and prosperous State. We must move forward with our ‘Sanskriti’ which connects us to each other and to our environment, not with ‘vikriti’ which destroys this connection. This conference is an opportunity to bring these pieces together and as Pujya Swamiji emphasizes move from pieces to sustainable peace, which can only be possible with environmental preservation. Let us revive our language, our traditions and our wisdom to build a more resilient Uttarakhand.”
Pujya Swami Avdheshanand Giriji Maharaj: “Today’s gathering has brought together a confluence of not only saints, local voices but administration and relevant institutes. When such a confluence happens there is bound to be a green and new vision for not only the state but also for the world. Ganga reminds us to keep flowing, to never become stagnant, and we must take this message in our lives and also in our concerted efforts to ensure that She is kept free from pollution. We are all together and, on behalf of the Juna Akhara, we are with Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji in this great mission and movement.”
Shri Raghunandan Toliaji, Former Chief Secretary of Uttarakhand: “This conference will not only provide a green vision for the state of Uttarakhand but for the entire nation and the world. The problems and challenges faced by the Himalayas is not our alone therefore let us gather solutions and best practices from all the diverse group of people sitting here and set a new more sustainable vision for Uttarakhand.”
Dr. Krishnamurthy, Director IIRS-ISRO: “Today our technologies can measure and quantify the biomass of certain regions. We can utilize these green technologies to measure our carbon credit. Policies should be created to incentivize protection of Mother Ganga and Mother Earth while allocating green bonuses for the people of Uttarakhand.”
Dr. Vibhav Kant Upadhyay, Founder & Director General India-Japan Global Site:
“Uttarakhand can lead the path to preserving and protecting our environment, this is the very essence of our culture, and I am certain that with political will we can create a new, more innovative and Green Uttarakhand.”
Dr. Aaakash Sinha, CEO of Omnipresent Technology:
“New technologies powered by the creativity and passion of our youth can serve and give back to their country and be beneficial to the green vision.”
Pujya Prem Baba from Brazil: “In the beginning of this year we celebrated a GreenKumbha Mela together, where with Pujya Swamiji’s leadership we spent the largest gathering of humanity as one in which we can reconnect ourselves to environmental preservation. This conference is a beautiful closing of a Green Year and yet at the same time just a beginning to a green journey ahead.”
The conference included detailed discussions on topics ranging from conservation of river and water, climate change and disaster management, green pilgrimage and tourism, protecting forest, agriculture and food as well as many other important topics of discussion. Many ideas were presented and shared with the Honourable Chief Minister including Carbon Credit Centres or Carbon Credit Corporations where carbon credits are provided as financial incentives and rewards to those operating in a green, eco-friendly, sustainable way. Many positive, beneficial ideas for the reconstruction effort were also detailed and shared.
During the event people from more than 20 countries and all around the nation participated in the discussions and activities and submitted their suggestions and ideas for a Green and more sustainable Uttarakhand.
The delegates unanimously pledged and signed a Green Vision Declaration and committed themselves to a Green New Year’s Resolution to live in harmony with Mother Earth, Mother Nature and Mother Ganga. The Declaration was presented to Hon’ble Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, Shri Vijay Bahuguna and His Excellency the Governor of Uttarakhand, Dr. Aziz Qureshi, who graciously accepted it. . The declaration included points about green development and green construction, enforcing existing environmental legislation, implementing sustainable energy and green eco-tourism programs, improvinggreen land and water management, improved efforts toward WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene) as well improving safety and security of schools and construction.
Following the conference, the participants expressed their deepest gratitude to the Mother River Ganga in a very special Ganga Aarti ceremony graced by the presence of His Excellency the Governor Dr. Aziz Qureshiji. The evening ceremony was led by Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji in which the tireless work of the Army, BSF, BRO, and all dedicated volunteers were appreciated and lauded and which included a special prayer for all those families who lost loved ones in the tragic floods.
