Kashmir University (KU) is all set to hold International Conference on Climate Change, Glacial recession and Livelihoods being jointly organized by the Government of J&K, University of Kashmir and Energy Research Institute (TERI), New Delhi (TERI) at SKICCC from 12-14 October, 2009.
The Conference shall suggest a strategic plan that outlines the policies and actions required to be taken by different organizations in the state to mitigate and adapt to the climate change effects
Prof. Punjabi, Vice-Chancellor of the KashmirUniversity, said that there is need for coordinated efforts by the academia, Government and the civil society for developing robust strategies for adapting to the Climate Change. He said that the organization of the forthcoming International Conference on Climate Change was an important milestone in this direction.
The Impacts of Climate Change and climate variability, already evident in the region, are likely to affect different sectors of the economy and environment in our state. It is predicted that the Climate Change shall impact Himalaya’s natural resource base including water resources, forestry, agriculture and other associated sectors and thus, putting additional stress on ecological and socio-economic systems in the region, said Dr. Shakil A Romshoo, Convener of the Working Group on Climate Change Research at the University of Kashmir. It is in this backdrop that the University of Kashmir, Government of Jammu and Kashmir and the Energy Research Institute (TERI), New Delhi have joined hands to develop an action plan for launching mitigation and adaptation studies in the region. The strategy shall be discussed at the forthcoming The Conferences is being attended by renowned Climate change experts from national and international institutions including Dr. Rajendra Pachauri, President of the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Chief Minister, Mr. Umar Abdullah and the Union Minister for Forests and Environment, Mr. Jairam Ramesh are expected to attend the Inaugural and valedictory of the Conference. The valedictory shall be held at the University of Kashmir. Various technical, plenary and breakout sessions on climate change science, prediction, impacts, vulnerability, adaptation and mitigation are scheduled during the 3-day conference. The outcome of the conference shall be announced in the form of “Srinagar Declaration” on the concluding day of the Conference.
Mr. R. D. Tiwari, Director SFRI, Govt. of J&K and convener of the Steering Committee constituted by the Government said that the Conference shall provide a platform to different segments of the society to deliberate on various aspects of climate change in the Himalayas. Noted Glaciologist and Padma Shri Prof. Iqbal Hasnain said that there is an immediate need to tackle the climate change in the region on priority as the Himalayas have tremendous ecological and socio-economic importance for the entire south Asian region.
In order to boast the Climate Change research in the region, the University of Kashmir in collaboration with the UK Met Office has recently initiated a regional experiment on studying impacts of Climate change on different sectors particulars water resources and Ecosystem services, said Dr. Romshoo. He said that it is of utmost importance that strategies are developed, on priority, to analyze the uncertainty about the nature and extent of climate change and to assess the likely impacts of the climate change on every sector in the state so that we adapt to the climate change in a phased manner.
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