Delhi University Geography World Environment: Day seminar found changing climate patterns such as non-steady monsoon with few rainy days with high intensity, mosquitoes in hilly regions, increasing incidences of heat waves etc.
The one day seminar on global initiatives and Indian environment organised on June 4 on eve of the World Environment Day by Himachal Pradesh Project, University of Delhi inaugurated by Shri Asheem Srivastava, Member Secretary, National Commission for Protection of Child Rights as Chief Guest; Ms. A.B. Bravo, Country Representative EURAXESS Links India, European Commission and Shri Abhay Kumar, Deputy Economic Advisor, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change as Guest of Honour. Session was chaired by Prof. PamiDua, Dean (Research) Humanities and Social Sciences and Director, Delhi School of Economics.
Background note was presented by Prof. R.B. Singh, Vice President, International Geographical Union (IGU) and Member, ICSU Scientific Committee on Urban Health and Wellbeing made audience acquainted with global initiatives like Sustainable Development Goals, Sendai Framework on Disaster Risk Reduction, COP21, Habitat III, Urban Health and Wellbeing; and emphasized to link these global initiatives with the local/regional efforts of sustainability. Identifying the gaps between research and policy making Prof. Singh suggested strengthening of Science-Policy Interface in order to maximize the benefit from these programmes. According to Prof. Singh the man made ecosystems like Urban Areas are among most vulnerable particularly to changing climate and pollution. According to him there is need to promote the concept of Urban Health and Wellbeing. Global sustainability cannot be achieved without local sustainability. He further elaborated that Global understanding through several initiatives empowers people to make local connections integrating cultural practices. The main goal of all initiatives is to promote global understanding so that actions and decisions yield sustainable outcomes all the time and all the places. Furthermore, it aims to promote capacity building, through mentoring programme, as well as providing opportunities for youth, women and other marginal groups for their valuable contributions.
1)Inaugural Session-(From Right) Prof.R.B.Singh- Vice President-IGU and Member ICSU Science Committee-Urban Health and Wellbeing, Shri Abhay Kumar, Dy Economic Adviser, Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change,ProfessorPamiDua, Dean (Research) Humanities and Social Sciences and Director-Delhi School of Economics, Chief Guest, Shri Asheem Srivastava, Member Secretary-National Commission for Protection of Child Rights, Guest of Honor Ms. Ainhitze B. Bravo, Euraxess Links India, European Commission.
Ms. Ainhitze B. Bravo (European Commission) introduced the researchers to the opportunities available in the European Union. She highlighted funding of EU and said that Horizon 2020 is the biggest funded project to promote research on critical issues important for the global sustainability. Shri Abhay Kumar made note of the efforts done by Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change for environmental conservation and preservation. Shri Abhay Kumar told that government has two priority areas i.e. Renewable Energy and Climate Change. According to Shri Kumar the ministry has taken step forward and has started online system for environment clearances. In last two years government is able to save 3 lakh crore rupees and target to provide job to 1 million people.
Shri Asheem Srivastava started with lines stating “Environment is Everything” and emphasized on sustainable consumption pattern. According to him pure market value is not real valuation. Quoting the average rise in temperature between 1906-2005 as 0.74oC and sea level rise of 3.1 mm during 1993-2003. Shri Srivastava said that Ecosystem Services are monopoly of nature and there is also an inverse relationship between ecosystem services and money used for restoration of degraded environment. He emphasized that disasters are not natural, those are just natural phenomenon. He asked researchers to focus and conduct problem analysis (cause and effect relationship).
Prof .PamiDua chair of the session, highlighted the need to promote the research on environmental issues in order to contribute towards the global sustainability. Dr. B.W. Pandey thanked all the guests and participants for their contribution.
2nd Session was chaired by Prof. V.S. Parmar from the Department of Chemistry, University of Delhi. He talked about the current challenges and opportunities in Chemical research vis-a-vis environmental issues. He emphasized that new technologies, techniques and methodologies from the research laboratories can help in keeping the environment clean and green. He stressed that the manufacturing of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) of which India has emerged as a major supplier must adopt green chemistry techniques and technologies. He also introduced various solutions such as biocatalysis and reactions under microwave radiation, replacement of organic solvents wherever possible and the challenges like the development and application of environmentally benign technologies, development of highly selected processes, atom conservation etc.
2) Valedictory Session (From Right)Prof.R.B.Singh- Vice President-IGU and Member ICSU Science Committee-Urban Health and Wellbeing, Shri Ajay Raghava,Dy.Director-Climate Change Division, MoEF, Government of India as Chief Guest,Dr. B.W. Pandey, Associate Professor, Dr.SubhashAnand, Associate Professor.
Our next speaker was Dr. Simon Allen, University of Zurich, Switzerland. He shared his research findings on rainfall and snow-melt triggered glacial lake outburst in Kedarnath, June 2013. He focused on role of snow cover and snow melt and its interaction with rainfall and other meteorological parameters in such extreme events.
Dr. M. Mohapatra, India Meteorological Department, Government of India, talked about the role of early warning system in disaster risk reduction in India. He also talked about agro meteorological advisory services, information technology and decision support in reference to early warning systems. He also introduced hazard monitoring and assessment, vulnerability analysis, preparedness planning and management of natural resources during disasters. He also focused on observation, monitoring and analysis, prediction, warning generation and dissemination, public education and outreach and verification of warning.
Mr. Nawal Prakash, National Disaster Management Authority, Government of India, emphasized the importance of multi-stakeholder approach and community based disaster preparedness (CBDP) in the core concept of disaster management. He also informed about the recently released India's first disaster management plan based on Sendai Framework. He talked about the National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Plan and the central role it has plan in reducing the causalities and damage during the Phailin cyclone. He also told about the 2 upcoming battalions of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) besides, the present 10.
Mr. Vaibhav Aggarwal, Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, German Research Foundation, stressed that research cannot be done in isolation and that research needs to be global. There should be international cooperation in major research fields. He also introduced to the students and researchers the various opportunities in Germany.
Mr. Shishir Sinha, Editor-business Affairs, ABP News Network, talked about the environment and media especially electronic media. He shared the findings of a study that environment and related issues do not form a priority either for the media or the general masses.
Valedictory Session:Guest of Honor, Mr. Ajay Raghava, Deputy Director- Climate Change Division, Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India said that India's per capita emissions are still one of the lowest in the world. It is approximately 1/10th of United States' per capita emissions (higher meat consumption and food wastage there). He talked about India's Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) of reducing the emission intensity of our GDP and creating 2-2.5 billion ton of carbon sink by increasing forest cover. He also talked about the difficulty faced in negotiating with the developed world on the issues of equity and Common but differentiated responsibilities (CBDR). He talked about various government initiatives such as Green India Mission, National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture, promotion of climate resilient crops, National Green Energy Fund and National Adaptation Fund. He gave a few examples of changing climate patterns such as non-steady monsoon with few rainy days with high intensity, mosquitoes in hilly regions, increasing incidences of heat waves etc.
In Group Work, delegates discussed the important components required for strengthening of Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and mainstreaming of community through participatory approach. The task of summing up a broad subject of DRR into five action points was a challenging job. Therefore, on the basis of discussion and deliberation, the five action points required for reducing risk are as under:-
1) Participation of local community in capacity development and awareness generation through Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) in DRR. Development of simple tools, methods and models for analysis and reducing risk.
2) Proper implementation of rules and regulations by adopting Build Back Better theme in construction of settlements / infrastructure and management of environment around us.
3) Learning from best practices available around us in reduction of risk.
4) Effective coordination between multiple agencies in dealing with DRR.
5) Self-promotion and initiatives taken by the people in management of disaster to be promoted.
Last but not least, it is worth to mention here that students of this group thoroughly discussed the causes of disaster and action points required for DRR. Also, they have linked the above mentioned points with Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015-2030) such as involvement of local community and adoption of Build Back Better as motto in DRR. Therefore, we have to adapt to live in harmony with hazards present around us.
3) participants, Guests and students.
R.B. Singh
Vice President: International Geographical Union (IGU)
Springer Series Editor: Advances in Geographical and Environmental Sciences
Professor & Coordinator-UGC SAP DRS III: Department of Geography, Delhi School of Economics,
University of Delhi, Delhi - 110007, INDIA
Tel.: +91-11-27666783 (Off), 27553850 (Res),+91-9971950226 (Mob)
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