(a) whether a Conference of the Forest Ministers of Himalayan region was held in Dehradun in October, 2004;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) the suggestions and recommendations made therein; and
(d) the action being taken or proposed to be taken by the Union Government on the basis of the suggestions and recommendations made in the Conference?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS (SHRI NAMO NARIAN MEENA)
(a) to (d) A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMEANT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 273 DUE FOR REPLY ON 20.12.2004 REGARDING PRESERVATION OF ECO-SYSTEM IN HIMALAYAS BY SHRIMATI D. PURANDDESWARI AND SHRI BRAJESH PATHAK.
(a) & (b) Yes, Sir. The Conference of Forests Ministers of Himalayan states was held in Dehradun on 11th and 12th of October, 2004 which was attended by the Forest Ministers of Uttaranchal and Sikkim and officers from various states of Himalayan region and few others. The inaugural session was addressed, among others, by His Excellency the Vice-President of India, His Excellency the Governor of Uttaranchal, the Chief Minister of Uttaranchal and the Minister of State for Environment and Forests, Government of India. In the Technical session, which followed the inaugural session, presentations were made on overview of common interest of Himalayan States, Biodiversity across alpine region of Western Himalayas, Carbon sequestration- proposals and future conservation of lakes, wetlands and glaciers etc. In addition, there were deliberations on various issues related to ecology and environment of Himalayan region. Views were also expressed by the representatives of various states.
(c) The recommendations are enclosed as ANNEXURE.
(d) The Central Government has received only the recommendations which need to be expanded into detailed proposals. Central Government will need these detailed proposals from the group of states for further consideration and action.
ANNEXURE
ANNEXURE REFFRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (c) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 273 REGARDING PRESERVATION OF ECO-SYSTEM IN HIMALAYAS DUE FOR REPLY ON 20.12.2004
The recommendations of the Conference of Forest Ministers of Himalayan region, held in Dehradun on 11th and 12th October, 2004, are as under:-
1. That ecosystem services provided by Himalayan states should be amply appreciated and taken into consideration while deciding upon devolution of funds.
2. That national policies and legislation should address the special needs and aspirations of the Himalaya and its people.
3. That the Government of India set up a Himalayan Development Authority to consider the issues and concerns of the Himalayan region and its people.
4. That the Government of India also set up a Fund for Himalayan Forest and Environment Protection to mobilize additional resources for this region.
5. In order to reduce pressure on existing natural resources, subsidy towards cost of L.P.G and for development of alternate construction technologies should be increased.
6. The scope of the Natural Calamity Fund should be expanded to address special phenomenon like forest fires, land slides, loss of agriculture land by flash floods and cloudbursts etc.
7. Institutions engaged in study of aspects of Himalayan environment and ecology be strengthened and their priorities be clearly realigned to meet the needs of the Himalayan region, New institutions may also be established to meet emerging needs.
8. A special programme for conservation of Himalayan Glaciers and wetlands should be initiated.
9. That all the villages in the Himalayas should be considered as forest fringe villages and adequate additional resources should be mobilized for their development.
10. The concerns of the Trans Himalayan region should be addressed expeditiously.