Himachal Pradesh Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar on Monday stressed on the need to create a Himalayan grid to solve the problems of the Himalayan states.

The Himalayan region has its own problems which need to be solved together and that the Himalayan Grid could be considered on the same lines as the Coastal Guard Grid has been made for the coastal regions.

He stated this while inaugurating three-day HIM Samvaad – ‘Trans Himalayan Conference on Localised Solutions and Implementation Strategy’ organized at Dr Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan on Monday.

The program was being organized under the joint aegis of Nauni University, Sewa International, Prakritik Kheti Khushal Kisan Yojana and Indian Ecological Society.

He said that HIM Samvaad was an effective platform of thought which could play an important role in this direction. The Governor informed that he had also put this matter before the Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

“Natural calamities like landslides in the Himalayan regions could be solved through such effective platforms,” he stated and appreciated the efforts of Sewa International in this direction.

The youth power could provide solutions to many problems, but for this we need to change our approach.

“The youth of the country can make this possible. We have to move forward with the belief that after 25 years, India will be a Sone Ka Sher,” he said, expressing hope that after 25 years of Amrit Kaal, India would become Vishwa Guru.

Vice Chancellor, University of Horticulture and Forestry Prof Rajeshwar Singh Chandel said that the recent development in the transformation from industry based agriculture to Natural Farming has shown a potential to be a strong livelihood resource for Himalayan farming communities.

He said that this methodology provides strength to the whole ecosystem, water, soil, biodiversity, nutrition and ensures the well-being of the whole farming community in Himalayan region.

He also briefed HIM Samvaad and said that through this platform it would be helpful in integrating Himalayan region.

Special Guest of the Conference Padmashri Kanwal Singh Chauhan said that natural farming was more important for Himalayan region and urged the farming community to adopt natural farming wholeheartedly and also to preserve our chemical free traditional seeds. He also underlined the importance of plastic waste management and urged the people not to use plastic in Himalayan region.