Mountain settlements across the Hindu Kush Himalayan region are facing increasing threats from climate change and rapid, often unplanned urbanisation. And this is a concern for Bhutan. The whole of the country falls under the region. To seek innovative solutions, Bhutan is hosting a conference in Thimphu, bringing together experts from the region.
The Hindu Kush Himalaya stretches for about 3,500 kilometres, spanning all or parts of eight countries. It is home to major rivers in Asia. It provides drinking water, irrigation, energy, industrial, and sanitation needs of more than two billion people in the mountains and downstream. This makes the Hindu Kush Himalayan region a global asset.
But that very asset is in danger. They now face unprecedented threats from the combined pressures of climate change, urban growth and poorly conceived development initiatives. Built-up areas in the region have significantly increased by almost 75 per cent over two decades. It has heightened risks such as landslides, flooding, and the loss of traditional architectural practices.
And these experts from the region are here in Thimphu to find sustainable solutions.
Human settlements in the Hindu Kush Himalayan region are rapidly changing, and we do not have enough information or knowledge about them. What we intend to do through this meeting is to bring enough knowledge and a roadmap through which we can combat problems related to climate change, problems related to rapid urbanisation, and out-migration, which are so essential part of the human settlements and their nature, and define the Hindu Kush Himalaya in many ways,” said Vishal Singh (PhD), Executive Director, CEDAR.
“We have challenges that are quite similar to the challenges that are faced by our fellow countries of the Hindu Kush Himalayan region. We are delighted to host a conference in hopes of learning, having meaningful discussions, exchanges of ideas, and strengthening long-term relationships,” said Karma Euthra, Executive Engineer, Department of Human Settlement.
The conference is expected to generate shared insights and drive collaborative actions toward greener, safer, and more resilient mountain settlements across the region.
Namgay Wangdi
Edited by Tandin Phuntsho
