The Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST) on Monday inaugurated the four-day international conference on ‘Nature-based Solutions for Enhanced Climate Resilience and Livelihoods in the Himalayas.’
Shri Manoj Sinha, Lieutenant Governor, Jammu and Kashmir, who was the Chief Guest on the occasion, e-inaugurated the IUST Law School. He congratulated the Vice Chancellor of IUST, Prof. Shakil Ahmad Romshoo, for all the initiatives that the University has undertaken over the years.
The LG said climate was changing at an alarming pace, while Himalayan region was facing several challenges because of it. “In this context, this conference and its theme are highly relevant,” he said. He added that the universities should not restrict nature-based solutions to Environmental Science but make it multidisciplinary.
Chief Justice, Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh High Court, Justice Sanjeev Kumar, who was Guest of Honour, said the nature-based challenges required nature-based solutions.
“Since it is difficult to revive vanished natural assets, it is better to preserve them on time,” he said. The Chief Justice also announced the establishment of Legal Aid Cell at IUST Law School for offering legal assistance for public.
Speaking on the occasion, Vice Chancellor, Prof. Shakil Ahmad Romshoo, said the conference has been organised at an appropriate moment for not only Himalayas but for the entire country.
He said the natural calamities were a burning issue and if not dealt with properly, they will hamper economic growth and national prosperity.
“I believe, nature is not furious; it is trying to reclaim what belonged to it. And it is we who face the consequences of that,” he said. He added that nature was a part of development, hence “our natural assets—like forests, water, healthy soil and so on—need to be preserved,” he said.
Meanwhile, Special Edition of IUST’s News Magazine, Times Echo, on ‘IUST’s 100-day Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan,’ published by Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, IUST, was unveiled on the occasion.
Besides, the Nasha Mukt Jammu and Kashmir Policy Brief, prepared by the Centre for Good Governance and Policy Analysis, IUST, was also released. A documentary film on floods, Geo-Historical Journey of the Jhelum in Kashmir, produced by IUST and directed by Prof. Romshoo was screened on the occasion.
Earlier, the welcome address was delivered by Prof. Javed Hussain Mir, Convener of the Conference, while Prof. Shamim Ahmad Shah, Registrar, IUST, proposed a formal vote of thanks. Dr. Tariq Abdullah, Geomatics, IUST; Dr. Jasia Bashir, Geomatics, IUST; and Dr. Irfan Maqbool, CDRR, IUST, serve as Co-Conveners of the conference.
The event being organised from August 3 to 6 brings together experts, researchers, policymakers, academicians, practitioners and stakeholders to deliberate on sustainable and nature-based approaches to addressing the growing challenges of climate change in the Himalayan region.
The conference will continue over the next three days with technical sessions, expert presentations and discussions focusing on various dimensions of climate resilience, ecosystem conservation, sustainable livelihoods and nature-based interventions in the Himalayas.
The four-day international conference is expected to foster global and regional collaboration and contribute to strengthening collective efforts towards building climate-resilient Himalayan communities and ecosystems.
