Dehradun, July 16 -- Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Thursday participated in the 'Harela Festival' programme held as part of the 'Lok Sanvardhan Parv' at the Parade Ground in Dehradun.

Dhami said the state's traditional 'Harela' festival carries a unique message of environmental conservation for the world, stressing that development and ecological preservation must go hand in hand.

Addressing an event in Dehradun, Dhami said India's ancestors understood centuries ago that human life depended on the protection of water, forests and land, and emphasised the need to conserve these natural resources.

Referring to the global challenges of climate change, global warming and rising pollution, the Chief Minister said Uttarak...