Dialogue on Sustainable Development and Eco-Tourism in the Himalayas Brings Together Experts, Policymakers, and Industry Leaders in New Delhi

New Delhi, May 2026: In an important initiative focused on the future of the Himalayan region and the growing need for environmentally responsible development, the Molyar Resource Foundation, in collaboration with the University of Southampton, organised a high-level seminar on the theme “Fostering Resilience: Sustainable Development and Eco-Tourism in the Himalayas” at the India International Centre on May 7, 2026.

The seminar witnessed participation from eminent academicians, policymakers, tourism professionals, environmental experts, entrepreneurs, social leaders, and community representatives from across the country. The discussions centred on promoting sustainable tourism, ecological protection, climate resilience, community participation, and balanced development in mountain ecosystems that continue to face increasing environmental and developmental pressure.

The programme commenced with the traditional Lighting of the Lamp and Saraswati Vandana, symbolising wisdom, harmony, and collective progress. Mrs. Seema Bhandari and Shri Durga Singh Bhandari, on behalf of the Molyar Resource Foundation, welcomed the distinguished guests with planters, shawls, and mementoes that reflected the spirit of sustainability and Indian hospitality.

The event also witnessed the presence of distinguished guests from diverse sectors, including media and publishing. Among them was Mr. Shrikant Pandey, Publisher of The CEO Magazine, who attended the seminar and interacted with thought leaders, academicians, policymakers, and industry experts during discussions centred on sustainable tourism practices and the long-term ecological future of the Himalayan region.

Shri Durga Singh Bhandari, Chief Coordinator of the Molyar Resource Foundation and Former General Manager (HR), ONGC, inaugurated the seminar with a detailed address on the “development-disaster paradox” in the Himalayas. He expressed concern that uncontrolled tourism and rapid infrastructure expansion are placing tremendous pressure on fragile mountain ecosystems while providing limited long-term benefits to local communities. Stressing the need for responsible ecotourism, he called upon researchers, policymakers, industry leaders, and local communities to work together for sustainable and environmentally responsible development.

During the seminar, Prof. Sabu S. Padmadas formally announced a collaboration between the Molyar Resource Foundation and the University of Southampton, particularly the University India Centre for Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Development and the Sustainability and Resilience Institute, for undertaking innovative and action-oriented initiatives related to sustainability and ecotourism.

To mark the beginning of the partnership, Prof. Padmadas presented a special insignia to Shri Durga Singh Bhandari. In response, Shri Bhandari thanked the University and assured that meaningful and practical initiatives would be implemented in a planned and systematic manner with a focus on long-term impact.

B. W. Pandey, Professor in the Department of Geography at the University of Delhi and Director of the Centre for Himalayan Studies, delivered a comprehensive lecture based on decades of field research in the Himalayan region. He described the Himalayas as the “third pole” of the Earth and one of the world’s most important freshwater sources supporting nearly half of the global population.

He highlighted the alarming environmental degradation taking place due to unplanned urbanisation, unsafe road construction, and uncontrolled tourism activities. Prof. Pandey explained that several landslides in Uttarakhand occur along vulnerable road corridors and that increasing tourist traffic contributes significantly to black carbon deposition in glacier-sensitive areas.

Advocating the adoption of the “DZUMA” policy framework implemented in Sikkim, he promoted the concept of “green tourism” aimed at minimising ecological damage in fragile mountain regions. He also discussed the close relationship between the Himalayas and global climatic systems such as El Niño and the Indian Ocean Dipole.

In his keynote address, Craig Hutton, Director of the Sustainability and Resilience Institute at the University of Southampton, spoke about the evolving meaning of sustainability in today’s rapidly changing world. He emphasised that sustainable tourism must protect local culture, preserve traditional lifestyles, strengthen local economies, and safeguard natural heritage.

He cautioned against excessive commercialisation and what he referred to as the “McDonaldisation” of society, where rapid commercialisation leads to the erosion of cultural identity and traditional practices, particularly in mountain communities dependent on local heritage and ecosystems.

Prof. Sabu S. Padmadas also presented several international initiatives related to sustainable development and global health. He discussed the AYURYOG initiative, which promotes the integration of Ayurveda and Yoga as preventive and holistic healthcare systems at the global level. He emphasised the importance of behavioural change among tourists and tourism stakeholders and shared examples from Rwanda and Oman, including the use of AI-based tourism management systems.

He further highlighted the importance of “people-to-people connectivity” and the growing role of science and technology in shaping informed public policy and sustainable development strategies.

Ravi Gosain, President of the Indian Association of Tour Operators and Managing Director of Erco Travels, presented an industry perspective on Himalayan tourism. He emphasised that tourism must remain environmentally responsible, economically beneficial, culturally sensitive, and community-oriented. Calling for a shift from “mass tourism” to “mindful tourism”, he stressed the importance of promoting local food, handicrafts, traditional culture, and community homestays for inclusive and sustainable development.

Abdul Qayyum, Director (Technical) and Deputy CEO of the National Medicinal Plants Board under the Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India, addressed issues related to biodiversity conservation and environmental policy. He highlighted the increasing threat to endemic Himalayan species such as the Brahma Kamal and the Black-Necked Crane due to rising human pressure and environmental degradation.

He also shared examples of selective and responsible tourism models from the Andaman Islands and discussed the Government’s “e-Forest Fire” monitoring programme designed for analytical forest fire management and ecological preservation.

Major Gorki Chandola (Retd.), social entrepreneur and founder of Pathaal Homestay and Pathaal Agro in Uttarakhand, presented a successful model of community resilience and rural transformation. His initiatives address climate vulnerability, migration, education gaps, and sustainable livelihood generation in hill regions.

He highlighted programmes such as “Run Bhula Run Bhuli”, community sports and cultural events, the Adarsh Model Green School initiative, AI conclaves in the hills, and the Pathaal Homestays initiative that revives abandoned Himalayan homes as sustainable community enterprises.

Renowned singer, composer, lyricist, and director Virender Negi Rahi presented a deeply emotional cultural perspective on the Himalayan crisis through poetry and music. Reflecting on the environmental changes taking place in the mountains, he remarked that “The Himalaya cannot shout, but it speaks through landslides and cloudbursts.”

He emphasised that sustainability and ecotourism must become a way of life rather than remaining limited to academic discussions and policy dialogues. He also warned against uncontrolled concrete construction in forested mountain landscapes.

Upendra Dutt Anthwal, Founder Director of Acuity Group of Companies, highlighted the role of policymakers, entrepreneurs, and stakeholders in shaping sustainable tourism models. Drawing inspiration from the tourism development model of Narara Island in Gujarat, he advocated community-based tourism, local production systems, and cooperative development between Himalayan and non-Himalayan regions.

Prakash Chand Khandpal, Professor at the Centre for the Study of Law and Governance, Jawaharlal Nehru University, and ICCR Chair of Indian Studies at the University of Southampton, highlighted Uttarakhand’s historic role in environmental movements such as the Chipko Movement. He warned that excessive tourism has significantly reduced the ecological carrying capacity of mountain regions and increased disaster vulnerability.

Stressing that behavioural change is the need of the hour, he called upon tourists, local communities, policymakers, and the tourism industry to adopt more responsible and environmentally conscious practices.

The seminar was organised with valuable support from ONGC and HPCL. The event concluded with the felicitation of distinguished guests and a collective commitment to work towards sustainable, resilient, community-centric, and environmentally responsible development models for the Himalayan region and future generations.