Bridging Policy and Practice: Strengthening Governance for Sustainable Development in the Indian Himalayan Region

The Indian Himalayan Region (IHR), a landscape of immense ecological richness and cultural diversity, faces the dual pressures of climate change and unsustainable development. Despite ambitious global frameworks such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and national missions like the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC), governance in the Himalayas often struggles to bridge policy intent with ground realities. Fragmented institutions, inadequate stakeholder participation, and short-term development priorities undermine resilience in this fragile ecosystem. Yet, examples such as Van Panchayats and the Chipko Movement illustrate the transformative potential of inclusive and participatory governance. This chapter examines how governance can serve as a bridge between policy and practice, analyzing barriers to sustainability, highlighting community-based innovations, and proposing governance models that integrate local knowledge with institutional accountability. By emphasizing collaboration, equity, and long-term resilience, it positions governance not merely as regulation but as a dynamic driver of sustainable futures in the Himalayas.