Addresses inaugural session of 41st National Convention of Chemical Engineers & National Seminar on ‘Biomass
Srinagar : Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Friday called upon engineers, scientists and academic institutions to harness Jammu and Kashmir’s abundant biomass resources to develop locally suited, economically viable and environmentally sustainable solutions for reducing dependence on fossil fuels and decarbonizing the economy.
The Chief Minister was addressing the inaugural session of the 41st National Convention of Chemical Engineers and National Seminar on “Biomass: A Sustainable Resource for Decarbonizing the Economy”, organized under the aegis of the Chemical Engineering Division Board of The Institution of Engineers (India) (IEI) in association with the Department of Chemical Engineering, NIT Srinagar, at the IEI J&K State Centre here.
Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary, Vice Chancellor University of Kashmir Prof. Nelofer Khan, Director NIT Srinagar Anurag Mishra, Chairman IEI J&K State Centre Ferdous Ahad Bhat, Chairman Chemical Engineering Division Board, FIE, Prof. G. Madhu, besides engineers, academicians and other experts attended the two-day national convention and seminar.
The Chief Minister emphasized the historical significance of hosting the 41st National Convention of the Institution of Engineers (India) after a long hiatus since 1989. He highlighted the urgent need to transition away from carbon-based fuels due to energy security concerns and the environmental impacts of fossil fuel usage, particularly in the context of climate change affecting the Himalayan region. The Chief Minister pointed out the visible effects of climate change, such as glacier retreat, and stressed that moving towards a sustainable energy model requires economically viable and environmentally friendly solutions. He noted that Jammu and Kashmir has abundant biomass resources that could be harnessed for energy, yet the region has struggled to implement effective waste-to-energy models. The Chief Minister acknowledged the economic challenges of such projects compared to cheaper energy sources like solar and hydropower, but insisted that economic factors should not be the sole consideration in energy policy. He called for innovative approaches to waste management and energy generation, drawing on personal experiences to illustrate the potential of unconventional ideas. The Chief Minister urged participants at the convention to embrace experimentation and learn from failures, citing historical examples of successful innovations. He called for a collaborative effort among engineers, scientists, and academic institutions to develop localized solutions tailored to the unique biomass resources of Jammu and Kashmir. The goal is to create actionable recommendations that address waste management, energy generation, and environmental sustainability while gradually reducing carbon dependence. In conclusion, the Chief Minister expressed hope that the convention would yield practical ideas that translate scientific research into real-world applications, ultimately contributing to a more sustainable future for the region. He encouraged ongoing collaboration with the engineering and academic community to achieve these objectives.
