Leh, Sept 19: Five days International Conference on “Himalayan Environment in Changing Climate Scenario” was inaugurated at University of Ladakh, here today.
The conference is being organized by the University of Ladakh in collaboration with six premier institutions (G. B. Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment, Almora; Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, Dehradun; National Institute of Disaster Management, New Delhi; CSIR-National Geophysical Research Institute, Hyderabad; and Guru Jambheshwar University of Science & Technology, Hisar) of the country and the Heidelberg University (Germany).
The five days conference will address a wide range of topics including Development, Biodiversity, Geology, Disasters, Glaciers, and Environmental Challenges besides celebrating the ‘Ozone Day’.
In the inaugural session Prof. S. K. Mehta, Vice-Chancellor, University of Ladakh, welcomed the dignitaries and guests, and briefed about the event. Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor Ladakh UT & Chancellor, University of Ladakh, Brig. (Dr.) B.D. Mishra (Retd.) was the chief guest.
He shared his experiences from a long serving in the Himalayan mountain range and emphasized that the mountains and plains are interconnected so maintenance of eco-balance is important for global ecosystem.
Pro-Chancellor, University of Ladakh & Advisor to Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor, Ladakh UT, Dr. Pawan Kotwal, IAS, spoke of water security issues in the Himalaya in particular, and globally, in general.
Dy. Chairman, LAHDC Leh, Tsering Angchuk, emphasized on melting of glaciers, disturbance of habitats and fragility of the region. Other dignitaries were Dr. Prantik Mandal, CSIR – National Geophysical Research Institute (Hyderabad), Dr. Anil Gupta, National Institute of Disaster Management (New Delhi), Dr. O.P. Mishra, Ministry of Earth Sciences (GoI), Prof. (Dr.) Marcus Nuesser, Heidelberg University (Germany), Prof. (Dr.) Talat Ahmad, Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology (Dehradun). Convener of the conference Dr. Sonam Wangmo presented the vote of thanks.
More than 50 academicians and scholars will share their perspectives over eight technical sessions in the coming days to further deliberate on burning issues like melting of glaciers, assessments of biodiversity, policy implications for climate change resilience, among many others.
