KU Brainstorms Earth System-Society Linkages on Earth Day

Srinagar: On eve of the Earth Day 2019, Department of Earth Sciences, KU is organizing a series of activities in the Valley to create awareness about various aspects of the Earth System.
The Inaugural function of the Earth Day 2019 was held Monday in the University Campus followed by a brainstorming Plenary session on the theme titled “Environmental Issues facing the J&K State and the roadmap ahead” and an Interactive Poster session showcasing the work done on various aspects of earth and environmental sciences at the university.
The Inaugural was presided over by Prof.Talat Ahmad, ViceChancellor of the Kashmir University and was attended by various Deans, heads of Departments, faculty members from various Departments, research scholars and students.
Besides, participants from different Govt. agencies, civil society, and media attended the Inaugural and the Plenary Session of the Earth Day.
Speaking at the Inaugural session Prof.Talat Ahmad gave an overview of the frontier areas of research in earth and environmental sciences at the University and showcased how the University is involved in cutting edge research in the field of Earth Sciences in partnership with national and international research institutes.
He emphasised the need for strengthening these collaborative efforts so that the benefits of the advancement in the field of Science and Technology are delivered to the society in addressing the pressing environmental issues.
A plenary session among invited participants from the academia, government and the civil society was organized to discuss various aspects of the Earth and Environmental issues like disasters, climate change, pollution, watershed management, urbanization and policy imperatives. The distinguished panelists at the plenary were Prof.Talat Ahmad, Prof. A. R. Yousuf, Mr. G. H. Kangoo, Chairman People’s Environmental Council, Prof. M. S. Bhat, Dean faculty of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Mr. Arjimand Hussain Talib, Editor Ziraat Times and Prof.Shakil A. Romshoo, Head Geoinformatics, KU. In light of the rapid changes in population, land system, economy, energy patterns and housing, the panelists and the speakers provided various ideas on how to develop a sustainable model for protection of the Mother Earth in the state.
In the interactive poster exhibition, 52 poster papers were presented with diverse themes related to Himalayan Cryosphere, Disaster management, Water Resources, Urbanization, Pollution, Climate Change, Hydrometeorology, Energy crisis and land system changes in the J&K state.
The Earth Day 2019 events shall continue till 30 April, 2019 and there will be painting/poster competition, campus cleaning drive and a seminar at Bemina Degree College during the week.