BHADERWAH: The Institute of Mountain Environment (IME), Bhaderwah Campus, University of Jammu organized a one-day National Seminar on "Climate Change, Rural Livelihoods and Ecosystem Services in the Indian Himalayan Region." The seminar provided a platform for experts researchers and academicians to deliberate on the impacts of climate change on rural communities and ecosystem dynamics in the Himalayan region.
The seminar witnessed enthusiastic participation from the teaching faculty of various departments, students and non-teaching staff, all eager to engage in meaningful discussions on environmental sustainability.
In his message, Prof. Rahul Gupta, Rector Bhaderwah Campus congratulated the Institute of Mountain Environment for organizing the seminar and emphasized the growing need for awareness, research and actionable solutions to address climate change. He commended the organizers for facilitating such an insightful platform to exchange ideas and strategies for environmental conservation in the ecologically sensitive Himalayan region.
The Chief Guest, Prof. Attar Singh delivered a motivational speech underscoring the role of academia and research in addressing the pressing issues of climate change. He stressed that research institutions and universities must collaborate to develop sustainable practices that can protect fragile ecosystems while improving the livelihoods of rural communities.
The Keynote Address was delivered by Prof. Milap Chand Sharma, who provided valuable insights into the evolving climate change patterns and their detrimental impact on the Himalayan ecosystem. He highlighted the urgent need for adaptive strategies to minimize environmental degradation and enhance the resilience of mountain communities.
The Guest of Honour, Dr. Rakesh Sharma, Associate Professor department of english delivered an engaging address highlighting innovative strategies for sustainable development in climate-sensitive regions. He emphasized the importance of integrating traditional ecological knowledge with modern scientific approaches to create viable solutions that can mitigate the impacts of climate change on rural livelihoods.
Earlier Dr. Subash Sharma, Associate Professor Department of English delivered the welcome address. He emphasized the critical significance of the seminar in addressing the growing environmental challenges faced by mountainous regions and underscored the importance of active participation in climate conservation efforts.
Dr. Neeraj Sharma, In-Charge Head, Department of IME, presented an introduction to the Institute of Mountain Environment, outlining its vision, objectives, and ongoing research initiatives aimed at addressing climate change and ecosystem conservation.
Dr. Chhering Tandup, In-Charge Head, Department of Geography, and Coordinator of the Seminar, introduced the seminar themes, providing an insightful overview of key topics such as climate change resilience rural development and ecosystem conservation. He emphasized the need for collaborative efforts between policymakers researchers and community leaders to address climate vulnerabilities effectively.
The seminar successfully facilitated discussions on sustainable practices, policy interventions and research-driven solutions for preserving the delicate Himalayan ecosystem. Participants lauded the efforts of the IME, Bhaderwah Campus, for fostering a platform that encouraged knowledge exchange and innovative strategies for environmental conservation. Vote of thanks was presented by Danish Sharma, scholar Department of Earth Sciences, IME
