Bhaderwah, October 24 : A two day’s national conference on ‘Environmental Issues and Challenges – the Himalayan Perspective’ was today inaugurated by Prof. Tej Partap, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, SKUAST-Kashmir and Chief Guest of the occasion at Bhaderwah Campus, Bhaderwah. The conference is being organized by Institute of Mountain Environment, Bhaderwah Campus in collaboration with P.G Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Jammu, Jammu. Prof. Neelam Saraf, Dean Academic Affairs, University of Jammu presided over the function. Where as Prof. S.K Khosa, Dean Sciences and Co-ordinator PURSE, University of Jammu, acted as Guest of Honour on the occasion.
Prof. M.A. Malik, Rector, Bhaderwah Campus in his welcome adress apprised the audience about the profile of Bhaderwah campus and explained the new initiatives being taken for the progressive growth of the campus. Besides highlighting the objectives of Institute of Mountain Environment, he detailed out the research activities being undertaken by the Institute and also narrated the future course of action for building the collaboration at national and international forums..
Prof. Raj Kumar Rampal, Convener of the conference introduced the theme of the conference and apprised the audience about the objective of the conference. About 90 research papers categorized in eight different categories on oral and poster mode shall be presented in the two days course of the Conference, Prof. Rampal informed. Prof. Khosa in his remarks congratulated the organizers and emphasized upon the audience for the conservation of nature and natural resources in the Himalayas.
Prof. Neelam Saraf, Dean Academic Affairs, University of Jammu in her presidential address highlighted the problems the Himalayas are confronting. She congratulated the organizers for holding this event at Bhaderwah, the location aptly fit for the theme. She wished that the proceedings of the conference and recommendations thereof shall highly benefit the young researchers in exploring the ways of modern innovative modes of research. She wished all the success to the conference.
Prof. Tej partap, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, SKUAST and the Chief Guest on the occasion aptly addressed the theme in his impressive key note address. He very lucidly narrated the issues the Himalayas are facing in terms of their physical, biological and socio-economic facets. He explained how intricately the marginalized people are dependent upon the natural resources for earning their livelihoods and called upon the optimal involvement of marginalized sector whose livelihood is forest dependent. In his address he highlighted the factors which influence the mountain environment and impressed upon the young researchers to shift the paradigm from conventional research to challenging research.
Dr. Neeraj Sharma, Organizing Secretary of the Conference and Head Institute of Mountain Environment, proposed the formal vote of thanks in the inaugural session.
Three technical sessions were held today with the plenary lectures of Prof. D.K Upreti, Dr. Avinash Sharma, Sh. O.P Vidhyarthi, Prof. Shashi Kant and Dr. C.M Seth. Ten technical papers were presented on the themes of Biodiversity conservation and management, environmental pollution and toxicology, green economy and management and environmental risks and hazards.
A number of invited guests from SKAUST, district and local administration, civil society and faculty besides the students participated in the event.