Young Voices for the Mountains: Zanskar Students Lead the Charge to Protect the Himalayas
Chandigarh
The majestic Himalayas aren’t just a breathtaking backdrop; they are a fragile ecosystem that needs our collective voice. Taking this call to heart, the Zanskar Student Association in Chandigarh transformed a seminar hall into a hub of passionate discussion and urgent action on January 21st.
Held at Panjab University’s English Auditorium, the event, titled “Biodiversity Conservation in the Himalayan Region: Challenges and Opportunities,” moved beyond textbook theory. It became a heartfelt conversation about protecting a shared home.
The air was charged with concern and hope as experts painted a vivid picture of the mountains’ plight. Speakers like Gitanjali Angmo (Social Entrepreneur & Educator), Guman Singh (Coordinator, Himalaya Niti Abhiyan), and Sandeep Minhas (CFR Expert) didn’t just list problems like climate change and unchecked development. They spoke of melting glaciers, shifting habitats, and the delicate balance being disrupted, emphasizing that the solutions must be as rooted in the soil as the ancient trees.
A powerful thread throughout the discussions was the irreplaceable role of local and indigenous communities. “True conservation isn’t something you do for people; it’s something you do with them,” resonated as a key sentiment, highlighting the need for traditional knowledge to guide modern policy.
The driving force of the day, however, was unmistakably youthful energy. As General Secretary Tsewang Dorjay pointed out while welcoming the crowd, “The dream of conserving our biodiversity will remain incomplete without the passion and participation of our youth.” This belief set the tone, with students, researchers, and environmentalists actively engaging, asking tough questions, and brainstorming ideas.
Led by President Stanzin Dawa and Vice-President Stanzin Dolma, the organizing team successfully created more than just a seminar; they forged a community of concern. The significant turnout proved that young people are not just the future—they are eager custodians of the present, ready to steer the conversation towards sustainable and inclusive solutions.
As the event concluded, there was a shared sense of purpose. This was not an end, but a beginning. The dialogues sparked here are hoped to ripple outwards, influencing public awareness and urging policymakers to listen to the voices of both the mountains and the generation determined to save them.
