The Indian Mountain Initiative was conceived and set up by CHEA  in 2010. The goal of this initiative is to provide a forum for the mountain states to engage in continuous and constructive dialogue.

The 3rd sustainable mountain summit will be held at Kohima in September 2013. Prior to this a meet of the mountain states will be held on 19 March 2013 at Delhi. This article presents the proceedings of the past meetings as a background to those to come.

Vision of the Indian Mountain Initiative

In response to the recommendation of the Planning Commission Task Force that the Himalayan states need a platform for regular interaction, CHEA initiated the Indian Mountain Initiative. Read more about the Initiative here.

First Sustainable Mountain Development Summit at Nainital

The annual summits are the physical manifestation of the Initiative's aim to provide a platform for discussion. The first Summit organised in Nainital, emphasised the need for a platform that would seek and delineate solutions to the problems that exist across the 11 Himalayan states, namely those of livelihoods, natural resource management and climate change. 

Read a report by CHEA of the first Summit at Nainital here.

Second Sustainable Mountain Development Summit at Gangtok

The second Summit was organised in Gangtok, Sikkim, and the identified themes for discussion were water, communities and forests, and mountain livelihoods. 

Read a report by CHEA of the second Summit at Gangtok here.  A report by India Water Portal of the second Summit is here and videos are here.

The ‘Gangtok Declaration’ was presented by Summit convener, Lok Sabha MP PD Rai

Third Sustainable Mountain Development Summit to be held at Kohima

The third Summit is being planned for Kohima later this year. Prior to that, a meeting will be held next week to follow up on the decisions made during the Gangtok Summit.

Are you a resident or frequent visitor of the Himalayan states ? What are your experiences of the way development is defined for the region ? What changes would you like to see in the governance of the mountain states?

Do let us know in the comments !