Department of Geology, Leh campus Taru Thang organized a One-day workshop on “Water availability and security in Ladakh: Past, Present and Future scenario” under the tutelage of G20 to engage youth Y20. The workshop was jointly organized by Department of Geology, University of Ladakh, Leh, University of West England, Bristol, Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences, Lucknow and Ladakh Arts and Media Organization (LAMO), Leh. The workshop kick started with the introductory speech by Hon. Vice Chancellor, Prof. S. K. Mehta, University of Ladakh, in which he welcomed all the invited delegates to the university campus. He further added about the Ladakh being ultimate tourist destination and emphasized on the conservation of water in Ladakh, as we depend on the glacier melt for our daily needs. The Iceman of Ladakh, Padmashri Dr. Chewang Norphel, graced the occasion as the chief guest. He addressed the students about the importance of the water resources in which he put forth the use of artificial glaciers and invited the students to learn the low cost and simple technique of construction of the artificial glaciers. Dr. Subhrat Sharma an environmentalist, cited the cases of villages which were forced to stop agricultural practices and later on moved to another places due to lack of water resources in Ladakh region. Dr. Monisha Ahmad and Mr. Tashi presented the involvement of LAMO in educating the Ladakhi people regarding water resource conservation as well as the restoration of old Ladakhi architect. Followed by this, Dr. Ritesh Arya, the Guinness world book record holder, talked about the 25 years of his Groundwater exploration in Ladakh. He stressed over the groundwater usage and receding glaciers in the Himalaya due to global warming. Dr. Sandipan Mukherjee, Head, G. B. Pant NIHE, Ladakh regional centre talked about the hydro-ecologies of Oak and Pine trees. He discussed about the advantage of carbon sequestration by Pine trees as compared to oak trees. Dr. Binita Phartiyal, Scientist, Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences, Lucknow discussed about the Ladakh hydroclimate for last ten thousand years where Indus River got dammed multiple times which is present as the palaeo-lake sediments. Scientists from the various organisations, Dr R. K. Goyal & Dr Mahesh K. Gaur, ICAR-CAZRI, Leh and Dr Deldan, Scientist SKAUST, Leh, Prof. Ashok K. Sharma, Registrar, UoL, Prof. Neena Mehta & Dr C. P. Dorjay graced the occasion. At last, the vote of thanks was presented by Convenor of the workshop Dr. Rakesh Chandra, coordinator, Department of Geology where he sincerely thanked everyone present in the august gathering as well as all personals involved in the organisation of the workshop.
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