Himalaya Calling 2025: Governor Opens Global Summit at UPES,

Dehradun, September 9.
Lt Gen Gurmit Singh (Retd), the Governor, inaugurated the three-day global conference ‘Himalaya Calling 2025’ organized by the Himalayan Institute for Learning and Leadership (HILL) at UPES. This international summit, devoted to the cultural, environmental, and intellectual heritage of the Himalayas, brings together thinkers and environmentalists from across India and abroad for dialogue and reflection.

During the opening, the Governor visited an exhibition of Himalayan products held on the campus. In his address, he emphasized that the well-being of humanity and nature depends on preserving the Himalayas. He said, “Nature is repeatedly warning us—through floods, cloudbursts, rising temperatures, and increasing pollution. Ignoring water, forests, and land is becoming a crisis for humanity.”

He pointed out that uncontrolled tree cutting, river pollution, and the expansion of concrete jungles threaten our existence. He called for collective action in tree plantation, water conservation, and maintaining ecological balance. He noted, “‘Himalaya Calling’ reflects our united commitment to protecting the Himalayas.”

The Governor appreciated UPES’s initiative, noting that the summit gathers scientists, policymakers, students, and communities to find sustainable solutions. He stressed, “The Himalayas are not just mountains—they are our lifeline and protectors of our earth and our soul.” He urged global efforts to understand and conserve the Himalayas, saying it is a shared responsibility of humanity.