Rezina Mihu from Arunachal Pradesh has been elected as the Vice Chairperson of the Integrated Mountain Initiative (IMI), making history as the inaugural individual from the state to secure this high-ranking position within the national platform dedicated to the sustainable growth of India’s mountain and Himalayan territories.
Election Results and Council Leadership
The outcomes for the IMI Governing Council Election 2026 were officially declared on Saturday by Returning Officer Dr Satyadeep S Chhetri. Alongside this key appointment, STS Lepcha hailing from Uttarakhand secured the role of Chairperson, while Roshan Rai representing Darjeeling was chosen as the Secretary.
New Governing Council Members
The newly formed governing council also incorporates several prominent figures from various Himalayan regions. Binita Shah from Uttarakhand was appointed as Joint Secretary and Treasurer, while Priyadarshini Shreshtha from Sikkim took on the role of Joint Secretary. Furthermore, Rajan Kotru and MP Sood from Himachal Pradesh, Amba Jamir from Nagaland, GS Rawat from Uttarakhand, Jigmet Takpa from Ladakh, and Prof John Zothanzama from Mizoram were elected to serve as Councilors.
Handover and Strategic Representation
The official ceremony for the handing and taking over of charges is scheduled to take place at a future date. Mihu’s historic appointment establishes a notable presence for Arunachal Pradesh within an influential national body that addresses the socio-economic, ecological, and developmental challenges faced by mountain populations.
Background and Community Engagement
Operating as a robust civil society network, the IMI focuses extensively across India’s Himalayan belt on critical areas such as sustainable development, community empowerment, water security, and advocacy. Mihu has maintained a long-standing association with numerous youth-centric and community initiatives, having previously functioned as the Secretary of the Students’ Development Forum Arunachal (SDFA) based in Itanagar. His professional trajectory has successfully transitioned from regional student leadership to a broader national platform centered on mountain communities, with this election widely viewed as a strong acknowledgment of his ongoing dedication to sustainable mountain development.
