Himalayan states offer unexplored potential for post-COVID resurgence: Jitendra Singh

 Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Wednesday said Himalayan states and Union territories such as Arunachal Presh and Jammu and Kashmir offer unexplored potential for post-COVID resurgence.

dressing 'Himalayan Divas' conclave here, Singh said for centuries, Himalayas have stood like a custodian guarding India against foreign invasions and assaults of nature.  

Citing scientific research, Singh said for a large part of Indian subcontinent, Himalaya serves as a major source of water, flora and fauna.  At same time, rivers flowing along Himalayas, wher it is Indus or Ganga, offer immense avenues which are yet to be fully explored, he said.

About a dozen States and Union Territories — Jammu and Kashmir, Lakh, Himachal Presh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, Arunachal Presh, Manipur, Mizoram Tripura, Meghalaya, Assam and parts of West Bengal, are located along Himalayas.  Singh, Union Minister for Development of rth Eastern Region (DoNER), said while Himalaya have vast resources with unexplored potential, re are questions wher eugh initiatives are being taken to preserve and utilise it optimally for benefit of humanity.

That is question which needs to be dressed rising above all considerations including politics, he said.  

minister said despite concerns like perennial floods, landslides, deforestation, environment pollution, climatic alterations, Himalayas have capacity to come to rescue of humans as a major tool for post-COVID resurgence. 

He said COVID catastrophe has me people realise need to channelise Himalayan resources.

For example, bamboo from rth Eastern Himalayan range will play a major role in future ecomy of country, he said, referring to recent hike in import duty of bamboo and amendment in Indian Forest Act to facilitate production of bamboo articles and ir export. 

Similarly, he said, re are or items like saffron and exclusive fruits which have t yet been optimally utilised for ecomy and tre. 

(Im Credits:PTI)