Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 9 Sep: On the occasion of Himalaya Diwas, a workshop themed “Soil and Water Conservation in the Mountainous Regions of Uttarakhand: A Scientific Perspective” was held at the Indian Institute of Soil and Water Conservation (ICAR-IISWC), here, today. Approximately 140 participants actively took part in the event, including students from ATIC, Premnagar, as well as scientists, technical staff, and other employees of ICAR-IISWC. The programme was anchored by Dr Vibha Singhal, Principal Scientist.
The welcome address was delivered by Dr JMS Tomar, Head of the Plant Science Division. Highlighting the ecological sensitivity of the Himalayan regions, he expressed concern regarding the impacts of climate change, erratic rainfall, natural disasters, soil erosion, and their effects on mountain agriculture; he emphasised the need to adopt a scientific approach to address these issues..
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Charan Singh, Acting Director of the Institute, highlighted the significance of the Himalayas, noting that they serve as a vital foundation for the country’s major rivers and water resources. Environmental changes in the Himalayan regions directly impact soil, water, agriculture, and the ecosystem. He stressed the importance of adopting scientific research and effective techniques for the conservation of natural resources, as well as for soil and water conservation in mountainous areas.
The Chief Guest, Padma Shri awardee Kalyan Singh Rawat, discussed the vast ecological, hydrological, biodiversity-related, and social significance of the Himalayas in detail during his address. He drew attention to the declining snowfall in the Himalayas and the increasing risks associated with glacial lakes. He explained the connection between Himalayan glaciers and water sources with major rivers, noting that these rivers are crucial for drinking water, agriculture, and human life.
Citing risks associated with Himalayan river flood and breaching of glacial lakes in the Nepal region, as well as the Kedarnath tragedy, Rawat emphasised the need for vigilance and scientific monitoring regarding climate change and natural disasters in the Himalayan regions. He stated that early warning systems, scientific studies, disaster risk reduction, and the participation of local communities are crucial given the sensitive geographical conditions of the Himalayas. He also highlighted the importance of conserving Uttarakhand’s ‘Bugyals’ (high-altitude alpine meadows). These high-altitude Himalayan regions are vital biodiversity hotspots and serve as natural habitats for numerous medicinal and useful plant species. He expressed concern regarding the degradation of these natural sites, unregulated human activities, and the pressures arising from climate change. He emphasised the need for a scientific approach and local community involvement for the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of Bugyals and medicinal plants.
Dr Rajesh Kaushal, Principal Scientist, shed light on the importance and utility of bamboo and bamboo nurseries in Uttarakhand. Dr Anupam Barh, Senior Scientist, and Mudit Mishra, Senior Technical Assistant, conducted a practical demonstration of drones to showcase modern technological applications, highlighting the utility of drone technology in agriculture, natural resource management, and soil and water conservation.
Rakesh Kumar, Chief Technical Officer, played a significant role in the successful organisation and coordination of the event. At the conclusion of the programme, Dr J Jayaprakash, Principal Scientist, proposed the vote of thanks.
