‘Himalaya Diwas’ is being observed by activists since 2010, but on Wednesday, the State government too observed the day. At a programme held at Gandhi Park here, environmentalist Sunderlal Bahuguna administered an oath to students and teachers present to protect and conserve the Himalayas.

Chief Minister Harish Rawat said the initiatives on the conservation of the Himalayan ecosystems were confined to research institutes. Mr. Rawat said through initiatives such ‘Himalaya Diwas,’ the conservation of the Himalayas was becoming a public campaign.

Dehradun-based environmentalist and founder of the Himalayan Environmental Studies and Conservation Organisation Anil Prakash Joshi, who has been spearheading the campaign since 2010, said: “I felt that we needed a day to speak about the Himalayas and the issues around it. In 2010 a meeting of activists was called at HESCO and we decided that September 9 must be celebrated as the ‘Himalaya Diwas.’”