MP Supongmeren Jamir calls for revised funding, policy to protect Himalayan environment

KOHIMA — Nagaland’s lone Lok Sabha MP, S Supongmeren Jamir, highlighted the critical environmental challenges facing India—particularly in the Himalayan region—and called for a revised funding mechanism under the 16th Finance Commission.

Raising the matter during Zero Hour in the Lok Sabha on July 30, Jamir pointed out pressing issues such as pollution, climate change, vegetation loss, water conservation, and river treatment in the Himalayan belt.

He cautioned that India cannot rely solely on modern technology to address these concerns and questioned whether the country has any dedicated policy to preserve the Himalayan ecosystem, making specific mention of Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand, and all the northeastern states.

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Jamir proposed that the central government develop a dedicated policy and establish a specialised cell or department to tackle these issues and safeguard the environment.

He further noted that financial allocations under the Finance Commission are typically based on population, putting sparsely populated hill areas at a disadvantage.

In light of this, he urged the commission to consider a revised funding mechanism to ensure greater development in mountain regions.