Governor Shukla emphasizes on preservation of Himalayan ecosystem
Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla stressed on preservation of mountain ecosystem process and to consider the sustainable livelihood issues of the State seriously further stressing upon that development work should be carried forward only after studying the fragile ecology of the region.
He was speaking as a Chief Guest in a three-day International Conference organized by Kullu-based Govind Ballabh Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment on ‘Mountain Ecosystem Processes and Livelihoods’. Earlier, he also inaugurated the guest house and auditorium of the institute.
Emphasizing the importance of the institute for environmental studies in the Himalayan region, he said this institute was making concerted efforts as the lead agency to advance scientific research, develop integrated management strategies and conserve natural resources. He stressed the need to delve into the unexpected natural disaster in the State last year and emphasized the need to build up strategies based on scientific research for the developmental activities in the hilly regions. He also expressed his concern over construction being carried along the river banks.
He said that we have to conserve the natural resources, particularly the water and forest wealth of the state. There was a need to plant trees after conducting the soil fertility tests and according to the geographical conditions. He asked the organizers to prepare a report on the research statements presented in this three-day International Conference and send it to the State and Central Governments so that the conclusions drawn from here could be considered.
The Governor also released two publications of the Institute.
Sunder Singh Thakur, Chief Parliamentary Secretary welcomed the Governor on the occasion. He suggested research on the rivers of the State, especially the Beas and Parvati River basins, so that appropriate steps could be taken to prevent the damage to be caused by floods in near future.
Prof. Sunil Notiyal, Director, Govind Ballabh Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment, Almora welcomed the Governor and detailed about the history and other activities of the Institute.
Prof. Lalit Awasthi, Director of National Institute of Technology, Srinagar, Uttarakhand, Prof. Aarti Kashyap, Expert from National Institute of Technology, Mandi, Rakesh Kumar, Regional Head of Govind Ballabh Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment, Kullu, research Scholars and other prominent people were also present on the occasion.
