Dehradun, April 25 -- Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Friday said Himalayan states should coordinate with each other to address common challenges through policy. "Our primary objective is to improve the standard of human life while maintaining a balance between the economy and ecology," said Dhami, while chairing the first meeting of the Council for Coordination and Policy Formulation for Himalayan States in Dehradun. He added that Uttarakhand's rich natural resources and biodiversity offered potential in fields such as Himalayan ecosystem conservation and the preservation of medicinal plants. Dhami also highlighted efforts by the state government towards water conservation and the revival of natural water sources. Chief secretary Anand Bardhan said efforts would be made to explore ways in which Himalayan states could work collectively to address common challenges and emphasised the need to involve national institutions in the field of Himalayan conservation. Council member and MLA Kishore Upadhyay suggested assessment of water levels and flow in Himalayan rivers. Acharya Dr Prashant proposed the formation of a joint task force among Himalayan states to address shared challenges, while Padma Shri awardee Kalyan Singh Rawat highlighted the importance of conserving the Himalayan bugyals (alpine meadows). htc...