A special seminar on “Climate Change and Ecological & Biodiversity Concerns in the Himalayas” was organized at the ICAR-Indian Institute of Soil and Water Conservation (ICAR-IISWC) in Dehradun on 22 July 2024. This seminar was a part of the Institute Research Committee (IRC-2024) annual meeting, held from 18-23 July 2024.
Dr S.P. Singh, Former Vice Chancellor of HNB Garhwal University, Uttarakhand, discussed the concept of carbon justice. He highlighted the crucial role that farmers and local communities play in reducing climate change through sustainable practices such as responsible forest harvesting and limited resource consumption. Dr. Singh pointed out that these efforts are often overlooked and not even communicated to the communities involved. He stressed that India’s culturally ingrained practices of low consumption and conservation thrusts are instrumental in mitigating climate change and should be promoted globally.
Dr Singh called on scientists to foster a scientific atmosphere in society, encouraging scientific thinking and reducing unscientific beliefs and lifestyles. The seminar also explored various aspects of pre-monsoon drought, monsoonal features, including monsoonal drought, and associated moisture conservation and agricultural practices needed. The growing issue of agricultural abandonment was highlighted, emphasizing the need for a balance between economic growth, GDP, and agricultural production to sustain global food security.
Dr M. Madhu, Director of IISWC, emphasized the importance of climate-smart villages and the impacts of technology developed by the Institute in mitigating the impacts of climate change.
Dr M. Muruganandam, Head of the PME & KM Unit and Coordinator of the seminar, stated that the event provided a comprehensive understanding of Himalayan ecosystems, the impacts of climate change, and the interconnections between climate change, monsoons, forest resources, grazing, agriculture, and economic growth.
During the five-day IRC meetings, around 80 scientists from the Institute’s eight regional centers located across the country and the headquarters in Dehradun discussed over 65 ongoing multidisciplinary and collaborative projects. They also reviewed 15 new research proposals and progress on SCSP and TSP schemes of IISWC. A panel of external members evaluated the projects’ progress and discussions. A special seminar on climate change besides a consultative discussion with C-DAC were also held to explore potential collaborations. The program was organized in a hybrid mode and coordinated by Dr. Muruganandam, Member-Secretary of IRC-2024, along with Er Shrimali, Dr. Rama Pal, and Dr. Sadikul Islam, Senior Scientists and Er Amit Chauhan ACTO and Dr Pramod Lawate, STO of the PME & KM Unit, IISWC.
