SRINAGAR: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has called for urgent, coordinated action to protect the Himalayan ecosystem, stressing that development must go hand in hand with environmental conservation as climate change, ecological degradation and unplanned construction pose growing challenges to mountain regions.
In a message to the valedictory session of the 13th Sustainable Mountain Development Summit, Sinha outlined a four-pillar roadmap centred on science-based planning, climate-resilient infrastructure, regenerative livelihoods and a zero-waste mountain economy.
“The vision of a developed India can be realised only when development and environmental protection advance together,” the Lieutenant Governor said, underlining the national importance of safeguarding the Himalayas.
Congratulating the Integrated Mountain Initiative (IMI) and Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-Kashmir) for jointly organising the summit, Sinha said the event had provided a platform to deliberate on water resources, forests, land, biodiversity and climate change, while highlighting the concerns of millions of people whose livelihoods depend on the Himalayan ecosystem.
He observed that the effects of climate change, global warming, environmental degradation and unplanned development were becoming increasingly evident across the Himalayan region. Natural disasters witnessed in different parts of the country and the world over the past two decades, he said, underscored the growing intensity of climate-related challenges.
Describing the Himalayas as a source of rivers, a repository of biodiversity and a vital regulator of climate, Sinha warned that any disruption to its ecological balance could have far-reaching consequences.
Under the first pillar of his proposed roadmap, the Lieutenant Governor called for science-based assessments of carrying capacity and ecological zoning to guide development according to the environmental limits of mountain regions.
The second pillar focuses on climate-resilient infrastructure and disaster preparedness. Sinha stressed the need for environmentally sensitive construction and stronger community-based early warning systems that combine modern technology with traditional local knowledge.
The third pillar envisages regenerative and inclusive livelihoods through high-value horticulture, organic farming, modern sericulture, ecotourism and other green-economy activities. He called for empowering youth and women to become entrepreneurs and job creators, linking livelihood generation with environmental sustainability.
The fourth pillar advocates a zero-waste, circular mountain economy, with improved solid waste management, wastewater treatment and recycling systems across urban and rural areas as well as tourist destinations.
Sinha also commended the summit for preparing a draft policy addressing ecological security, responsible tourism, disaster management and sustainable livelihoods. He expressed hope that extensive consultations would help develop the document into a comprehensive policy and implementation framework, creating a stronger basis for cooperation between society and nature.
Emphasising India’s tradition of environmental stewardship, the Lieutenant Governor called for integrating traditional practices with technology, local knowledge with modern science, and economic growth with ecological sustainability. He said effective policies and their implementation on the ground were essential to achieving these objectives.
LG urges doctors to bridge urban-rural healthcare gap
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday called upon the medical fraternity to bridge the gap in healthcare access between urban and rural areas, strengthen indigenous medical research and prioritise preventive care, while ensuring that technological advances do not come at the cost of human compassion.
In a message congratulating Government Medical College (GMC), Srinagar, on organising a conference titled “Advancing Internal Medicine: From Evidence to Excellence in Clinical Practice”, Sinha outlined a five-year roadmap for the medical community, identifying six priorities ranging from wider access to medical knowledge and early disease detection to doctors’ wellbeing and the responsible use of technology.
He said advances in diagnostics, treatment and medical technology must reach physicians and patients in remote and rural areas as effectively as they do in urban centres. Ensuring equitable access to medical facilities and tools, he said, should be a primary objective of the conference.
The Lieutenant Governor highlighted the growing burden of lifestyle-related diseases, including diabetes, hypertension, obesity, fatty liver disease and cardiovascular ailments, even as infectious diseases continue to pose challenges.
He urged physicians and internists to lead community-level prevention campaigns, stressing that early detection of diabetes, hypertension and liver disease could reduce treatment costs and help prevent complications.
Sinha also called for stronger indigenous medical research to generate evidence relevant to India’s diverse population. He said the country’s demographic diversity and the expertise of its medical professionals offered significant opportunities for scientific discovery and innovation.
Outlining six key commitments for the medical community, the Lieutenant Governor stressed the need to expand access to advanced medical knowledge through digital health platforms and telemedicine; prioritise preventive healthcare and early diagnosis; use artificial intelligence and other technologies to support, rather than replace, clinical judgement; strengthen research capacity; safeguard doctors’ wellbeing and address professional burnout; and keep compassion at the centre of healthcare delivery.
Emphasising the importance of internal medicine, Sinha said physicians often had to identify complex underlying conditions from seemingly simple symptoms. He described careful observation, clinical reasoning, experience and an understanding of patients’ circumstances as essential to effective diagnosis and treatment.
He said physicians frequently serve as the first point of medical contact for families and build lasting relationships based on trust, compassion and scientific evidence.
The Lieutenant Governor also acknowledged GMC Srinagar’s contribution to medical education and healthcare, noting that generations of doctors trained at the institution continue to serve across Jammu and Kashmir and other parts of the country.
Addressing the need to improve working conditions, Sinha said doctors’ dedication and service must be recognised and that hospitals and institutions should also take responsibility for their wellbeing. Providing better workplaces and addressing professional burnout, he said, should remain a priority.
He urged young doctors to remain curious, embrace innovation and learn from experienced mentors, while asking senior physicians to share their clinical knowledge and guide the next generation of healthcare professionals.
