Ecological Concerns regarding Himalayas and their Impact

The Himalayas are going through a stress full period and much of it is to blame to human generated causes such as over population, tree felling, mismanagement of watershed zones and last but not the least the global warming. It is time that IMF as an apex body takes a serious look at the situation and warns appropriate agencies and also the populace of impending danger which may affect our and future generation beyond redemption.

Also IMF needs to have a fresh look at expeditions, managing of mountains, cleaning expeditions and also spread of the message of adventure among youth in a big way.

The first effort in the direction the President, IMF, Major HPS Ahluwalia conducted a brainstorming session on 14th January 2006 in New Delhi in which , a panel of expert e.g., eminent glaciologists, mountaineers, geologists, environmentalists and high altitude experts on medicine were invited. Following issues were discussed:

• Mountain Environmental Degradation causes and remedies.
• Launching of exploratory expeditions to study sources of rivers on this and Tibetan side of Himalayas from where our prominent rivers emerge.
• A role on plan to study the river source, precipitation, snow fall pattern and depletion thereof.
• Setting up automatic weather recording observatories in selected places.
• Development of plans to induct the youth in mountaineering and adventures right up to the district level.
• Improvement in Tenzing Norgay Museum at IMF so that it becomes as a tourist land mark.
• A Roll-on-Plan covering mountaineering, high altitude adventure.
• Promotional activities required to be undertaken by the IMF.
• Workshops, seminars and presentations proposed to be organized by the IMF.
• Ways and means to promote mountaineering and adventure and involving youth in IMF activities.
• Guidelines for IMF interaction with Himalayan countries and UIAA.
• Involvement of the IMF in regulating search and rescue operations in the mountains along with respective hill States and IMF's role in disaster management.
• Promotion of Sport Climbing
• Institution of Life Time IMF Achievement Award
• Infrastructure and facilities at IMF covering extension/ modifications of the present complex, IMF Stores and recreation facilities.