The Himalayan People’s Conclave on Climate Justice——a parallel summit organised last week by local NGO Himalaya Niti Abhiyan and other organisations from the Western Himalayan states of Jammu and Kashmir and Uttrakhand—— has decided to launch a nation-wide movement to seek a major shift in climate polices and protect interests of deprived and affected people by ensuring climate justice for all.

Releasing recommendations adopted at the conclave, Guman Singh, convenor of the movement, said various state governments are not protecting the interests of people and only making tall statements on climate change ahead of the Copenhagen meet. “India must stand firm on any position that calls for legally binding emission cuts by the polluting countries as per Kyoto Protocol. We note with great alarm the recent attempts of many developed countries to jettison the Kyoto Protocol after 2012, and enter into a regime of voluntary, national legislation-driven, bi-lateral agreement based emission cuts. We also regret the reported moves by the Indian Environment Ministry to align with the largest polluter, the US,” he said.

Guman Singh said while formulating its stand on climate change, the Indian government must consider the hardship faced by its poor.

The speakers highlighted the destruction of forests and livelihoods being affected by large-scale construction of hydroelectric projects, dams with large reservoirs, mining and cement plants and other resource intensive industries in the hilly region.

Suresh Bhai, representing Nadi Bachao Andolan of Uttarakhand, said the large-scale construction of hydroelectric projects in Himalayas should be stopped. Ranjit Singh Negi of Him Lok Jagriti Manch, an organisation of people affected by projects in Kinnaur, demanded that the Himalayas should be declared as a world heritage and an eco-sensitive zone so that the unique natural and cultural heritage of the region could be preserved.

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