Involve people to conserve Himalayas, stop big dams: Environmentalists

"It is unfortunate that large-scale dams are being constructed. They devastate the environment and uproot people for short-term benefits," said Anil Joshi, who was here with fellow environmentalist Sunderlal Bahuguna to observe Himalaya Day last week.

Joshi, winner of the Padma Shri, one of India's highest civilian honours, is the founder of the Himalayan Environmental Studies and Conservation Organization, which is working for the development of rural villagers in the Himalayas.

"Ecologically sensitive programmes should be taken up in the name of development. The fact is that it has become more difficult for the residents of the Himalayas to survive and sustain in the wake of regular commercial exploitation of forests, mines and dams," Joshi told IANS.