09 Sep 2015|Noida | F1 Seminar Hall
“Organic Farming and Hydro ecology can help in the conservation of Himalayas” suggests Dr. A K Sikka during Himalayan Day Celebrations at Amity
Amity School of Natural Resources & Sustainable Development (ASNRSD) in association with Himalayan Environmental Studies & Conservation Organization (HESCO) celebrated Himalayan Day 2015 at University campus,Sector-125, Noida Campus.
Himalayan Day is celebrated to spread the message that solutions for sustainable development and ecological stability of the Himalayas must be as unique as the Himalayan ecosystem itself.
The event was inaugurated by Chief Guest, Dr. A.K. Sikka, Dy. Director General(NRM), Indian Council of Agriculture Research, New Delhi; Dr. Indrani Chandrasekharan, Director, ASNRSD; Prof. B.K.P. Sinha, Advisor, ASNRSD; Dr. Tanu Jindal, Director, Amity Institute for Environmental Toxicology, Safety and Management and Dr. N.P.S. Chauhan, Director, Amity Institute Of Wildlife Sciences.
Briefing the participants on Himalayan landscape, Dr. A.K. Sikka said that Himalayas is a region of stunning landscape and incredible biodiversity as it covers 15%of India’s geographical area. He further added that Himalayas have fragile ecosystem which is characterized by subsistence farming as the distribution of land is around 30% of agricultural land and 65% is forest land. He emphasized that Himalayas is an area endowed with various natural resources but due to significant climate changes, the complex ecosystem of the region is becoming a challenge. Dr. Sikka averred that extreme weather changes have resulted infrequent occurrence of natural disasters which is very evident in case of Himalayas since it is a vulnerable region. He stressed that the region faces numerous challenges and threats such as mitigation of climate change and biodiversity conversation which needs to be addressed and appropriate strategies are required to combat challenges. He suggested that organic farming, integrated farming system and hydro ecology are certain measures that can be used for conservation and judicious use.
Sharing her views on concerns related to Himalayan Region, Dr. Indrani Chandrasekharan said that Himalayas have been the soul of the country by virtue of cultural, ethnic, ecological and economical values but it had always been deprived of any pervasive development. She stressed that deterioration of eco system is due to inadequate attention has threatened various Life Supporting Resources and the status of forest, water, air soil has become alarmingly grim. She highlighted that major challenges faced by Himalayas are increasing population, rampant urbanization, unchecked deforestation, melting of glaciers and other ecological disruptions which trigger disasters. Dr. Chandrasekharan opined that it is high time for serious deliberation on status of Himalayas and its efficacies and devising effective measures to handle it.