Kashmir University to host international conference on climate change

Srinagar, June 26  – Prof Riyaz Punjabi Vice chancellor University Of Kashmir today chaired a meeting of the  recently formed the Working Group on Climate Change (WG-CCR) at Kashmir  University which suggested  a strategic plan outlining the policies and actions required to be taken by the different organizations in the state to mitigate and adapt to the climate change effects in J&K state .  The meeting also announced holding of an international conference on climate change in the last week of September this year at Kashmir University.

Vice chancellor said that cclimate change impacts on different sectors in the state of Jammu and Kashmir are already evident and need to be assessed scientifically for each sector. He said that recession of Glaciers in the Kashmir Himalayas, depletion of our wetlands in the Valley, Erratic snowfall, Erratic weather patterns, Change of Growing season, Shifting of the tree line in upper reaches of Himalayas and changes in the Biodiversity of the forests are some of the impacts of the climate change that are quite evident in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Besides said VC we need to know what are the impacts of the Climate Change on Agriculture, Horticulture and other sectors of the economy. Prof Punjabi said   that Climate Change impacts on horticulture that has emerged as the backbone of our economy need to be assessed for each variety of the fruits.  He added that there are  many more sectors like hydropower and in light of the fast depleting of glaciers, we don’t have any idea how long this White Gold is going to last.

Briefing the 24 member team of the working group about the ongoing and pipeline  sponsored research programs that are focussed on assessing the climate change impacts on different sectors VC  said that  we need to pool our resources together to scientifically characterize these impacts and then based on that understanding, develop strategies for minimizing the economic and other costs to the society.  Prof. Punjabi said he  firmly   believes  that the WG, with expertise from varied fields within and outside the University, shall come up with a comprehensive strategy to mitigate the impacts of climate change in the state of Jammu and Kashmir.

Renowned glaciologist, former Vice Chancellor Kalikut University Prof Syed Iqbal Hasnain  from the Energy Research Institute (TERI) informed the WG  that Government of  J&K  has agreed to the suggestion of the Working Group regarding the holding of the international conference on  climate change and  this conference will be organized by the University of Kashmir in collaboration with the State Government agencies,  the energy Research Institute (TERI), University of California, Cambridge University and others  .He informed of the meeting that Chief Minister and the pro- chancellor of the University  Mr Umar Abdullah has pledged his full support  to the initiated on climate change in general and the international conference  in particular and he will be addressing the delegates on the concluding day of the conference .

 Dr. Shakil Ahmad Romshoo, Convenor of the Working Group said that Preliminary results from the research carried out in UK suggest that, depending upon the level of future emissions, the average temperature increase in valley, by end of the 21st century, may be between 2 and 3 degree Centigrade. Glaciers are receding at a faster rate in the state compared to other glacial regions in the world he informed the members. Dr. Shakeel Romshoo informed the meeting that a  regional Climate Change Model developed by the UK’s Hadley Centre for Climate Prediction and Research is being setup at the University to predict the future climate change scenarios and their impacts on water resources availability in the state.

Noted columnist  M. Ashraf called for the participation of the common man in the process ,the thought which was seconded by Prof Aneesa Shafi Head department of sociology KU. M Saleem Beigh INTAC said that knowing the scientific reasons behind the local climatic variations or any other environmental problem, we need to build up databases of our resources, and once, built, they need to be monitored and updated. Mr. R. D. Tiwari, Director   State Forest Research Institute  (SFRI) J&K said that  understanding and assessment of climate change impacts on water resources is critical for water resources planning, hydropower development and protection against flooding. Prof Syed Fayaz said that the focus of the conference has to be such that we recommend some kind of an institute for climate change at the Kashmir University  to which all the members agreed. 

Other members of the Working Group who attended the meeting included Prof. Azra Kamili, Head, Environmental  Sciences,  Dr. Aneesa Shafi, Head,  Dept. of Sociology KU ,  Dr. Gh. Jeelani, Mohit Gir,  Member Secretary, Pollution Control Board,,  M Ashraf columnist,    Dr. Shakil  A. Romshoo, Dept. of Geology and Geophysics, Deepak Khana (IFS) , Altaf A Andrabi, A H Zargar SKUAST, Srinagar  ,Gulzar Ahmad Mukhtar ,   R D Tewari (IFS), Mr. Deepak Khana and Dr K N Sing Associate Director (Ext. Edu), SKUAST,  Srinagar attended the meet.

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