Almora Literature Festival begins, focuses on preserving Himalayan environment

Dehradun: The second edition of the Almora Literature Festival (ALF) began on Thursday at Malla Mahal with Union minister for state and Almora MP Ajay Tamta inaugurating the event. The three-day festival is focusing on the conservation of the Himalayan environment & its culture & communities and brings together experts and former policymakers from India and abroad.The inaugural discussion on the pressing issue of water crisis was moderated by environmentalist Vasudha Pant. The panel included two Padma Shri recipients, Lalit Pande and Suman Sahai, and noted writer Romola Buttalia. Pant said 50% of India's population faces extreme water shortages, and that despite accounting for 18% of the global population, only 4% of Indians have access to potable water.Buttalia stressed the importance of societal attitudes towards water, saying, "We protect that which we love, and the need of the hour is to revive our emotional connection to water." She talked about the pollution of the Ganga, once revered, and warned against the dangers of commercialising natural resources and losing sight of their intrinsic value. Pande offered a critical examination of the clash between modern methods and traditional water conservation practices. He noted the irony of romanticising local traditions while resisting their revival, particularly as rural populations migrate to urban areas in search of modern conveniences. Sahai shifted the focus towards agriculture, which consumes 85% of India's water resources. She urged a re-evaluation of farming practices, encouraging the adoption of sustainable methods that recognise indigenous knowledge as legitimate technology.Day one of ALF featured artistic performances, discussions, and stalls showcasing Himalayan products from Uttarakhand. The festival will continue to explore the cultural, spiritual, and environmental concerns of Himalayan communities over the next two days.