Integrated Mountain Initiative

In response to the Himalayan region's heightened vulnerability to extreme weather events, seismic activity, and climate change-induced phenomena, IMI recognizes the urgent need for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and management. The organisation emphasizes the necessity of strengthening institutional frameworks and mechanisms for DRR in the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR). IMI's key focus areas include developing disaster management plans and institutional mechanisms, exploring disaster risk insurance and financing, leveraging Information Communication Technology for DRR, addressing the impact of disasters on cultural heritage, and considering the implications of disasters on the region's tourism sector. These initiatives aim to enhance the IHR's resilience and preparedness in the face of mounting challenges.

In response to the rapid urbanization and environmental challenges facing the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR), IMI recognizes the pressing need for sustainable habitats. The organisation emphasizes that the IHR has experienced significant population growth, resulting in urban congestion and the conversion of rural areas into urban centres. This expansion has led to a decline in forest cover and various environmental problems such as waste accumulation, untreated sewage, water scarcity, unplanned urban growth, transportation issues, and pollution. IMI advocates for proper planning and scientific development to alleviate the strain on natural resources and prevent ecosystem degradation in the mountains. Key areas of focus include waste management, transportation and traffic management, sustainable tourism, and the promotion of sustainable energy solutions to address these pressing challenges.

Amidst population growth, urbanization, and changing consumer habits, the Himalayas, though rich in water resources, are grappling with increasing water scarcity. This issue is of great concern as the Himalayan region serves as the source for three major transboundary river systems - the Indus, Ganges, and Brahmaputra - which collectively sustain around 700 million people. The future water security of not only the Himalayas but also the entire nation depends on the health of mountain springs, streams, and glaciers. Recognizing the critical significance of water management, IMI's primary focus for 2020-23 includes the formulation of mountain-specific policies for water security, addressing water pollution in the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR), implementing springshed management, and ensuring effective drinking water management to secure the well-being of the growing population.

The Integrated Mountain Initiative (IMI) operates in mountain agriculture in the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR). The IHR faces challenges like population growth, urbanization, land degradation, and more, affecting its ecology and livelihoods, particularly in agriculture. IMI addresses issues like an unclear supply chain, high input costs, limited knowledge, poor storage, and lack of modern farming information. IMI aims to promote agriculture-based livelihoods and alternatives in the IHR, focusing on market linkages, skill development, social entrepreneurship, food security, agro-biodiversity, and community forestry over the next three years.