Mar 2025
Parvat Manthan Regional Conclave: Dialogue for Enhanced Service Delivery in Water, Used Water, and Waste Management for Hill Cities
The Parvat Manthan Regional Conclave, held in New Delhi, brought together diverse stakeholders from across the Himalayan region across India, Nepal, and Bhutan to address water, waste management, and climate resilience in mountain cities. This document captures the essence of the discussions, key insights, and future directives aimed at enhancing service delivery in these critical sectors.
The document encapsulates detailed discussions from the conclave, covering key themes such as integrated water resource management, equitable sanitation services, and innovative financial models for environmental sustainability. Key outcomes include actionable strategies for evidence building for holistic sanitation service delivery in the Himalayan context, policy and institutional strengthening, and capacity building and knowledge exchange through the Parvat-Manthan forum.
Key Sessions and Insights
Water and Climate Resilience: Discussions focused on integrated water resource management and the impact of climate change on mountain ecosystems, emphasizing sustainable practices and stronger municipal finance for water services.
Sustainable Waste Management: Sessions explored both solid and liquid waste management strategies, highlighting the importance of decentralized systems and community involvement in fostering sustainable practices in challenging terrains.
Technological Innovations: The conclave showcased cutting-edge solutions for water and waste management, stressing the adoption of technology-driven approaches to overcome the geographical challenges of the Himalayan region.
Actionable Outcomes
Policy and Institutional Strengthening: Recommendations were made for enhancing policy frameworks and governance structures to support localized and sustainable solutions.
Capacity Building: Emphasis on training municipal officials and community leaders to adopt and implement innovative practices tailored to the unique needs of hill cities.
Community and Stakeholder Engagement: The conclave highlighted the crucial role of community participation and intergovernmental cooperation in achieving sustainable development goals in the Himalayan context.
Read on to learn how the insights from the Parvat Manthan Regional Conclave underscore the urgent need for integrated approaches to address the environmental and infrastructural challenges of the Himalayan region. With a focus on resilience, innovation, and community engagement, the conclave set a pathway towards sustainable development in mountain cities.