Ganderbal, 30 Oct: The Western Himalaya Vikalp Sangam (WHVS), a network that brings together people and
organisations from Ladakh, Jammu, Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, hosted a
three-day gathering in collaboration with MOOL Sustainability Research and Training Center and
the School of Rural Development and Environment, Kashmir at Ganderbal this week.
The main theme of the event was: Learning,
Collaboration, and Sustainability. The event brought together 35 participants from across the
western Himalayas and other parts of India, representing nearly 25 organisations focused on
ecological regeneration, sustainable livelihoods, climate action, entrepreneurship, community
wellbeing, and empowering education. This was the first such gathering held in Kashmir.
Background:
Since 2016, WHVS has been part of the larger Vikalp Sangam initiative (www.vikalpsangam.org),
which goes beyond critiquing current systems of economic and social disruption to explore
viable alternatives and find solutions to the various problems Indian people face. Through
Sangams or “Confluences on Alternatives,” WHVS encourages discussions on sustainable
development models that address local and regional challenges in the Himalayas.
Objectives and Activities
The gathering’s objectives were to foster knowledge sharing, strengthen collaboration within
regional networks, promote ecological awareness, and cultural exchange. The conversation and
discussion included sharing examples of ‘alternatives’ including sustainable development
models, community conserved areas, and the challenges common in the Western Himalayas
including human-wildlife conflict, gender inclusion, land laws, and tourism.
The participants then also came together to work on a ‘Flower of Transformation’ based on a
comprehensive Framework developed through the national Vikalp Sangam process. This helps
to understand and assess initiatives on radical alternatives utilising key elements or spheres,
including ecological integrity and resilience, social well-being and justice, direct and delegated
democracy, economic democracy, and cultural diversity and knowledge democracy, an organiser told Ziraat Times.
The participants also interacted with renowned Kashmiri poet, writer, and historian Zareef
Ahmad Zareef, hearing about the celebrated author’s life and learnings, his poems, and his
perspectives on ecology, nature, and communities.
The group visited the Wular lake in Zurimanz, led by Naseer Ahmad Dar of Wular Fisherfolk
Union. The group met with local unions to hear about their journey, challenges, successes, and
needs and wants.
Such gatherings serve as a platform for diverse organisations to come together, reflect on the
values that drive their work, and chart pathways for collective transformational change in the
Himalayas. Apart from organisations already part of the Vikalp Sangam process, this gathering
also introduced other organisations from Kashmir to the process.
The gathering also led to the start of collaborative activities such as creating a people’s charter
including a list of demands, meeting physically and on virtual webinars, increased cultural
exchanges, documenting stories, and bridging gaps between Himalayan regions.
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