Why in news?
The 12th Sustainable Mountain Development Summit was hosted at Doon University in Dehradun from 25 to 28 September 2025. The summit brought together delegates from Himalayan states, academia, civil society and policymakers to discuss climate resilience and sustainable livelihoods.
Background
Started in 2011 by the Integrated Mountain Initiative, the SMDS offers a platform for Himalayan communities to engage with policymakers. Previous summits have addressed disaster risk, sustainable farming, waste management and youth leadership. The Himalayan region, home to millions, faces threats from climate change, glacier retreat, landslides, deforestation and unregulated tourism.
Highlights of the 2025 summit
- Theme: “Connecting Voices Across Scales for Climate Resilience and Adaptation” emphasised the integration of local knowledge with state, national and global policies.
- Mountain Legislators’ Meet: Lawmakers from Himalayan states discussed mountain‑specific policies, funding and coordination with the central government.
- Youth and Women’s Summit: Young leaders and women entrepreneurs presented innovations in eco‑tourism, traditional crafts and community forestry, stressing inclusive development.
- Knowledge sessions: Experts spoke on topics such as glacial lake outburst floods, forest fires, sustainable urban planning in hill towns, waste management and circular economy practices.
- Cross‑sector collaboration: The summit facilitated dialogue between government departments, NGOs, academia and the private sector to identify synergies and share best practices.
Significance
- Influences national programmes like the National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem and state climate action plans.
- Strengthens solidarity among Himalayan states and highlights the trans‑boundary nature of mountain challenges, encouraging cooperation with neighbouring countries.
- Provides inputs to global forums such as the UNFCCC, drawing attention to the unique vulnerabilities of mountain ecosystems.
Way forward
- Mainstream mountain concerns into national planning and tailor central schemes for high‑altitude regions.
- Invest in climate‑resilient infrastructure, early warning systems, nature‑based solutions and community‑led tourism that protect the environment.
- Strengthen research networks to monitor glaciers, biodiversity and socio‑economic indicators.
- Foster cross‑border cooperation on river basins, wildlife corridors and disaster management.