The Devdar (Deodar) forests are crucial ecological assets in the delicate Himalayan landscape. Cutting slopes at angles that violate the natural “angle of repose” of Himalayan geology is a profound act of either ignorance or hubris. The Union Government’s current developmental initiatives directly contradict a key policy framework: the National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem (NMSHE). Approved in 2014 under the National Action Plan on Climate Change, the NMSHE was established to protect the fragile Himalayan ecology. Its mandate includes monitoring glaciers and biodiversity, mitigating natural hazards and securing sustainable livelihoods for Himalayan communities.

Source: The Hindu January 23, 2026 05:26 UTC