Need to harness energy resources in Jammu & Kashmir: JK Governor

Srinagar, May 20  – Underling the need to produce clean energy, the Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, N N Vohra, on Tuesday called for harnessing of all possible sources of energy meet the "rising demand" of energy requirements.

"There is need to explore and harness the possible sources of energy like wind, geothermal and hydroelectric in Jammu and Kashmir. But we must produce clean and cost effective energy and meet its rising demand," he said in his speech during the inaugural function of the 3-day international workshop on "Energy Challenges in J&K: A Case for Energy Research Institute" at the University of Kashmir.

Vohra, however, said while meeting the pressing demand of energy production, "we must be sensitive to our local, national and global commitments in terms of the environment preservation." "In the past three to four decades, there is an acute gap in availability of resources vis-à-vis growing demand all over the country, both at the urban and rural levels," Vohra told a massive gathering of academics, officials and members of civil society.

The developed countries, he said, contributed immensely to environmental pollution. "So we need to evolve a consensus on how to tackle issues concerning energy in the state, which has an enormous potential in terms of resources and talent," Vohra said, adding the recommendations from experts after the workshop should be presented to him for perusal of the state authorities.

The workshop is being organized by the KU’s Department of Geology and Geophysics in collaboration with the University College, London, University of Jammu and ENI, Italy.

The state, Vohra said, annually buys electricity for Rs 1800 to 2000 crores. "This at times acts as an impediment to the economic growth," he said, adding "we must look into how the non-availability of electricity in different areas affects the academics of children. We must find solutions to all these problems."

In his presidential address, the KU vice-chancellor, Prof Riyaz Punjabi, called for a multi-dimensional approach in tacking the issues concerning energy in J&K. "There is need for a comprehensive vision on how to deal with critical issues related to energy production in the state," he said while underlining the importance of the workshop. "The idea is to see if we can sit down and poll the international expertise to find our some alternatives to growing demand of energy."

Referring to different places across the state, Prof Punjabi said "we need to evolve a mechanism to see which places are energy rich." "We live behind a smokescreen. Young faces are in the era of confusion. But we have gathered here to remove their confusions and debate and discuss the vital issues concerning the present and future generations."

The VC of Jammu University, Prof Varun Sahni, said energy was a core issue in the world today in the wake of rising population. "In India over 40 percent people still don’t have access to electricity," he said, adding there was need to explore the hydrocarbon reserves in the state. "We need to examine and understand all aspects of energy and concentrate on exploring the run-of-the-river projects here."

Prof Jonathan Craig from ENI (an energy institute in Italy), said they were in Kashmir to look into the possibility of setting up an Energy Research Institute. "We will be examining what the institute would be like and what topics it can cover," he said, adding the ‘core group of experts’ would give several options of a blue-print about the institute to the vice-chancellors of both the varsities.

The state, Prof Craig said, has energy resources like solar energy, biomass, hydrocarbons etc. "In the long run, we can also explore if the state has any potential for gas," Craig added.

Prof Bindra from University College, London, gave an overview of the workshop and the topics it would cover in the next three days.

The workshop organizer, Prof Shakeel Ahmad Romshoo, highlighted the aims and objectives of the workshop with reference to Jammu and Kashmir. Dr. Romshoo express hope that 3-day deliberation will come out with solid recommendation to prepare a case for energy reach instate in J&K.

IN his vote of thanks Prof Syed Fayaz Registrar University of Kashmir termed the workshop most significant and hoped that the three day deliberation on the theme will help to prepare the case for establishing and energy research institute in J&K which will finally help address the issues concerning Energy Chancellor on J&K stare The KU registrar, Prof S Fayyaz Ahmad, thanked the guests while Dr Farah anchored the proceedings.

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