Early Times Report
Bhaderwah, Nov 24: In a stride to inculcate modern concepts on research and development, energy sector and sustainable development in the Himalayas, Bhaderwah Campus, University of Jammu organized one day workshop on 'Sustainable resource development in Himalayas. Dr. Bindra Thusoo (Fellow Geological Society of London, Honorary Senior Research Fellow & Research Supervisor, Meghreb Petroleum Research Group (MPRG), University College London, U.K. Research Affiliate Scientist & Project Advisor) gave an overview of this part of Himalayas and impressed upon the identification of potential sites for carrying out trans-disciplinary research on various facets of mountains and their ecological, physical, social, cultural and physical linkages.
Dr. Jonathan Craig (Chairman of Advisory Board, Meghreb Petroleum Research Group (MPRG), Visiting Professor, University of London Visiting Professor, Department of Geology, University of Jammu) spoke at length about the sustainable resource development in the Himalayas and highlighted the renewable energy resource potential in Himalayas. He exhorted upon the teachers, scholars and students to work as team and use their invincible enthusiasm and devise a viable model for Bhaderwah highlighting the issues and concerns on state of biodiversity, energy security, mountain disasters, pollution abatement, environmental assessment, rural livelihoods etc. Prof. G.M Bhat, Rector, Bhaderwah Campus and an eminent geologist identified and highlighted the thrust areas in academics and research which shall be adopted and carried forward to make the campus par excellence.
He emphasized upon the teachers and students to work across the departmental boundaries for individualistic and institutional growth. As a landmark decision, he announced the campus to be plastic free and smoke free. He further declared that each student at the entry level at Bhaderwah Campus shall have to undergo a short term course in language improvement and communication skills and department of English, Bhaderwah Campus shall play a pivotal role in this endevaour. Mr. Abhishek Sharma, Lecturer, TBS, Bhaderwah Campus highlighted the profile of Bhaderwah Campus.
The lectures were followed by two interactive sessions wherein all the experts very lucidly responded to the queries of the audience. At the end as a way forward, Bhaderwah Campus identified few thrust areas to work upon. These include tectonic and geologic evolution (Faculty of Earth Sciences, IME), renewable energy resources (TBS /IME), Hydrocarbons and mineral resources (IME), climate change and global warming (Faculty of Life Sciences, IME) Tourism opportunities and challenges (TBS, Bhaderwah Campus), Biodiversity conservation and management (Faculty of Life Sciences, IME) and natural hazards and risks (IME). Institute of Mountain Environment, Bhaderwah Campus shall be the nodal agency for the purpose. A formal vote of thanks was presented by Chheing Tandup, Assistant Professor, IME. The proceedings were conducted by Vidu Koul, Lecturer, TBS, Bhaderwah Campus. |
