The Himalayan Day was celebrated at the Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun on 9^th September in which over 50 participants including the scientists, researchers, and students participated. Dr. Ravi Chopra, Director, Peoples Science Institute, Dehradun was the Chief Guest on this occasion and he delivered a talk on “Sustainable Development in the Himalaya”. 

Dr. S. Sathyakumar, Scientist-G of the Institute, welcomed Dr. Ravi Chopra and participants, providing a brief background of WII’s research and conservation initiatives in the Himalaya and why we celebrate the Himalayan Day.

Dr. Ravi Chopra in his talk presented an overview of all the environmental and social problems in the Himalayas region due to the rapid pace of ill-planned development. He stressed the importance of sustainable development through community participation, better risk preparedness and environmental friendly livelihoods.

Dr. Ravi Chopra and his team have innovated creative approaches to put science and technology in the service of India’s poorest people, through capacity building of the local communities, helping them to prepare their own development, implement projects, and then manage the assets created. 

The 9^th of September was chosen as Himalayan Day in 2010 by individuals who were concerned about the conservation of the Himalayan ecosystems to bring awareness amongst the common people to save the Himalaya which is severely threatened due to increasing human activities.  Since then, many institutions and organizations in the Himalaya celebrate this day as “Himalayan Day” and undertake various discussion forums and awareness creation activities.