HIMALAYAN ENVIRONMENT IN CHANGING CLIMATE SCENARIO

International Conference “HIMALAYAN ENVIRONMENT IN CHANGING CLIMATE SCENARIO” (HECCS-2023) 19 - 23 September 2023 Venue: Conference Hall, Hotel Grand Dragon, Leh Press Release. University of Ladakh (19 September 2023) International Conference on “Himalayan Environment in Changing Climate Scenario” was started at Leh, which was organized by the University of Ladakh in collaboration with six premier institutions (G. B. Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment, Almora; Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, Dehradun; National Institute of Disaster Management, New Delhi; CSIR-National Geophysical Research Institute, Hyderabad; and Guru Jambheshwar University of Science & Technology, Hisar) of the country and the Heidelberg University (Germany). Topics during the conference to be addressed include development, biodiversity, geology, disasters, glaciers, and environmental challenges. Ozone day will also be celebrated during the event. In the inaugural session Prof. S. K. Mehta, Vice-Chancellor, University of Ladakh, welcomed the dignitaries and guests, and briefed about the event. Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor Ladakh UT & Chancellor, University of Ladakh, Brig. (Dr.) B.D. Mishra (Retd.) was the chief guest. He shared his experiences from a long serving in the Himalayan mountains and emphasized that mountains and plains are interconnected so maintenance of eco-balance is important for global ecosystem. Pro-Chancellor, University of Ladakh & Advisor to Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor, Ladakh UT, Dr. Pawan Kotwal, IAS, spoke of water security issues in the Himalaya in particular, and globally, in general. Hon’ble Dy. Chairman, LAHDC Leh, Shri Tsering Angchuk, emphasized on melting of glaciers, disturbance of habitats and fragility of the region. Other diginitaries were Dr. Prantik Mandal, CSIR - National Geophysical Research Institute (Hyderabad), Dr. Anil Gupta, National Institute of Disaster Management (New Delhi), Dr. O.P. Mishra, Ministry of Earth Sciences (GoI), Prof. (Dr.) Marcus Nuesser, Heidelberg University (Germany), Prof. (Dr.) Talat Ahmad, Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology (Dehradun). Convenor of the conference Dr. Sonam Wangmo presented vote of thanks. More than 50 academicians and scholars will share their perspectives over eight technical sessions in the coming days to further deliberate on burning issues like melting of glaciers, assessments of biodiversity, policy implications for climate change resilience, among many others.