19-09-2025 : Governor calls for establishment of an “International Himalayan Studies University”.

Rajbhawan Dehradun 19 September, 2025

Governor Lt Gen Gurmit Singh (Retd.) convened a meeting of experts at Raj Bhavan on Friday to deliberate on the preservation and enhancement of the Himalayan ecosystem. He proposed the creation of an “International Himalayan Studies University” to safeguard the Himalayan heritage and to develop solutions to the escalating climate crisis.

The Governor noted that the world is grappling with rapid climate change and ecological disruptions, and that meaningful solutions should emerge from India. While several institutions currently work on Himalayan research and conservation, he pointed out that the absence of a unified effort has limited concrete outcomes.

Highlighting the need for integrated policy-making, the Governor stressed that the proposed university would focus on Himalayan-centric policies, traditional and spiritual knowledge, cultural preservation, and biodiversity. Such an institution, he said, would benefit not only the Himalayan states but the global community.

During the meeting, the framework and potential structure of the university were discussed. The Governor suggested convening a preliminary meeting of universities active in environmental research, with recommendations from that meeting to be compiled into a formal proposal for submission to the central government. He described this as the first step toward a significant initiative for the Himalayas’ future.

The meeting was attended by Prof. Annapurna Nautiyal, Dr. R.C. Sundriyal, and Dr. M. Rawat.
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