Edited compilations of conference papers, even those about exciting areas and issues relating to the Himalaya, do not necessarily make good reading, except for professionals and specialists. However, Himalayan Environment, an intellectually adventurous transect across many mountain disciplines by eminent Himalayan experts, is an exception. It will be read from cover-to-cover by Himalayan enthusiasts in India and all over the mountain-fraternity across the globe. Even the somewhat ‘dated’ IMF report becomes readable because of the original, creative, ‘bench-mark’ papers presented at the Indian Mountaineering Foundation’s I action projects conference in 1995. And the insightful chapters on Himalayan bio-diversity in National parks; search, rescue and evacuation in high mountains; and field notes on wildlife, and others, are gripping eye-openers. These include notes on the Kashmir Stag, Musk Deer and the mountain goats, the snow leopard and its prey, and a ‘ground-breaking’ insight by Indian Himalayan wildlife experts, on the impact of Helicopters on wildlife in the valley of the Beas, and human conflict in Himalaya, are priceless additions to our understanding of the Himalaya. The IMF-International Himalayan environment programme was conceived by veteran climbers and environmentalists as part of the ‘brief’ and constitution of the IMF, the apex, regulatory body for mountaineering sports, literature, travel, adventure and conservation. The IMF functions as the ‘autonomous’ facilitator and regulatory ‘watchdog’ for the Indian Himalaya. The IMF has been fortunate to have had a succession of Presidents who were dedicated senior ICS or IAS officers, like N.R. Pillai, S.S, Khera and the virtual founder, H.C. Sarin, (till-recently the President, Dr. Manohar Singh Gill, was the CEC; and now, its present President, is the eminent and redoubtable N.N. Vohra). The integral involvement and dedication of the Army, Navy, IAF, IB and paramilitary organisations like the ITBP, and their adventurous personnel like Captain M.S. Kohli, the renowned Everester and former-President, the late Hukum Singh Pangtey, and the famous Everesters H.C.S. Rawat and Major H.P.S. Ahluwalia, Col ‘Bull’ Kumar and Col. B.S. Sandhu to name only a few, all great mountaineers, has made the IMF one of the national institutions of integrity built-up by ‘great’ Indians and Himalayan mountaineers, after independence. Himalayan Environment, a book-length volume covering issues and concerns in conservation and development, has been compiled with a more inclusive, if still far from comprehensive, coverage of mountain environment issues. Edited by the Veteran Mountaineer, Schoolmaster, wildlifer and environmental-scientist, Hari Dang, Padma Shri, this is a book which will be read and treasured as reference.
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