Amaranth Yatra Sanitation

June 29,2018:Expressing concerns over degradation of Himalayan region's fragile ecology,  prominent  environmentalist Mushtaq Pahalgami demanded that the ongoing  Amarnath pilgrimage be undertaken in accordance with the standards set in the environmental policy of the state.
The state  government and shrine board should take care of the fragile environment in the Amarnath Cave and its surroundings from pahalgam to holy cave and holy cave to sonamarg , he said. "Just like the principles of conservation of environment and administrative facilitation in the Gangotri pilgrimage and the larger conservation plans for the Ganga River are applied to the pilgrimage, we expect the state government to apply the similar standards in Amarnath yatra", said pahalgami.
He asked the government to get a group of environmental experts study the impact of the unregulated pilgrim rush on the ecology of the Amarnath area and recommend measures to be taken to regulate the same keeping in view the environmental concerns of the people.
"I appeal the environmentalists to come forward to suggest how to address their concerns. The collection and the disposal of solid waste during yatra period is a problem area which needs to be focused on." he added.
"The environmental experts should suggest measures for the protection and conservation of fragile environment in the Himalayan region in the upcoming yatra set to begin on June 28", he said, also raising concerns about open defecation in jungles by BSF men in compartment 35 LDR, expressing hope that shrine board  and the state govt. will do the needful to maintain proper sanitation and hygiene in the yatra period this time.

Mushtaq Pahalgami,
Himalayan Welfare Organization-HWO

26 June as the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking !!!

Listen First
Building on the success of last year, the theme for 2018 is: "Listen First - Listening to children and youth is the first step to help them grow healthy and safe."

26 June as the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking !!!

By resolution 42/112 of 7 December 1987, the General Assembly decided to observe 26 June as the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking as an expression of its determination to strengthen action and cooperation to achieve the goal of an international society free of drug abuse.

Supported each year by individuals, communities and various organizations all over the world, this global observance aims to raise awareness of the major problem that illicit drugs represent to society.

It is an initiative to increase support for prevention of drug use that is based on science and is thus an effective investment in the well-being of children and youth, their families and their communities.

The UN General Assembly held a Special Session (UNGASS) on drugs in April 2016. This Special Session marked an important milestone in achieving the goals set in the policy document of 2009 "Political Declaration and Plan of Action on International Cooperation towards an Integrated and Balanced Strategy to Counter the World Drug Problem", which defined action to be taken by Member States as well as goals to be achieved by 2019.

The outcome document recommends measures to address demand and supply reduction, and to improve access to controlled medicines while preventing diversion. The recommendations also cover the areas of human rights, youth, children, women and communities; emerging challenges, including new psychoactive substances; strengthening international cooperation; and alternative development. The text puts new emphasis on proportionate national sentencing policies and practices for drug-related offences, and features a strong focus on prevention and treatment.

Courtesy :Himalayan Welfare Organization-HWO

Environmental Conservation and Green Development!!!

Environmental Conservation and Green Development !!!

18 June 2018:People who are concerned with protecting the environment often use the terms preservation and conservation. These two terms are often confused and are generally used to mean the same thing, although differences exist.
Conservation of environment simply implies the sustainable use as well as management of natural resources which include wildlife, water, air, and earth deposits. There are renewable and non-renewable natural resources. Conservation of natural resources generally focuses on the needs & interests of human beings, for instance the biological, economic, cultural and recreational values. Conservationists have the view that development is necessary for a better future, but only when the changes occur in ways that are not wasteful.                                                                                                         As far as preservation of environment is concerned, it tries to maintain the present condition areas of the nature or Earth which are not yet touched by humans. This is because of the fat that mankind is encroaching onto the environment at such a rate that various wild landscapes are being given over to farming, industry, housing, tourism and other human developments. And we lose much of the natural areas. Preservationists also strongly support the protection of nature for purely human-centered reasons. However, some adopts less human-centered approach to environmental protection, placing a value on nature that does not relate to the needs and interests of human beings. But is a fact that by preserving and conserving environment we can make a healthy atmosphere to live in.
Environmental preservation is viewed or seen as the setting aside of earthly resources for preventing damage normally caused by contact with humans or by certain human activities, such as logging, mining, hunting, and fishing, only to replace them with new human activities such as tourism and recreation. Furthermore regulations and laws may be enacted for the preservation of natural resources. Being earth friendly is very essential as this will save our planet at the time making a better place to live in for us, for future generations.
Some common steps that need to be taken to ensure sustainable and green development include fair and regular assessment of environmental damage and accordingly formulated replenishment and conservation/preservation measures like tree plantation, preservation and restoration of natural water bodies and dedicated efforts at conserving the flora and fauna. Concretization and rapid concretelization  has to be opposed at all cost and eco-friendly and regulated construction has to be promoted. Small scale and low impact tourism must be promoted and proper treatment of waste before disposal must be ensured. A Finally, strategies for a sustainable engagement with conservation and preservation have to be evolved and implemented with full zeal and a civil society campaign initiated to the effect.

Mushtaq Pahalgami,
Himalayan Welfare Organization-HWO

***Happy World Environment Day 5 June 2018***

***Happy World Environment Day  5 June 2018***

The theme for 2018 is beating plastic pollution.

4 June 2018:World Environment Day is the UN's most important day for encouraging worldwide awareness and action for the protection of our environment. Since it began in 1974, it has grown to become a global platform for public outreach that is widely celebrated in over 100 countries.

World Environment Day is the "people's day" for doing something to take care of the Earth. That "something" can be focused locally, nationally or globally; it can be a solo action or involve a crowd. Everyone is free to choose.

The is organized around a theme that focuses attention on a particularly pressing environmental concern.

Mushtaq Pahalgami,
Himalayan Welfare Organization-HWO

June 04,2018: International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression 4 June 2018!

Hugs not Slugs.
Kids deserve to be Happy, Healthy,and Safe....

June 04,2018: International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression  4 June 2018!

The United Nations' (UN) International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression is observed on June 4 each year. The purpose of the day is to acknowledge the pain suffered by children throughout the world who are the victims of physical, mental and emotional abuse. This day affirms the UN's commitment to protect the rights of children.

Mushtaq Pahalgami,
Himalayan Welfare Organization-HWO