Srinagar, Sep 17 (JKNS): University of Kashmir Vice-Chancellor Prof. Nilofar Khan on Thursday said sustainability is not merely an academic discourse for an environmentally sensitive region like Kashmir, but is fundamental to its future, stressing that scientific research must translate into solutions that improve people’s lives.
Speaking at the valedictory session of the three-day National Conference on “Environment, Climate and Sustainability: Science, Policy and Pathways” at the University of Kashmir, Prof. Nilofar, as per news agency JKNS, said the challenges of climate, environment and development are deeply interconnected and require interdisciplinary and collaborative solutions.
“We live in an ecologically fragile Himalayan region, where our glaciers and snowfields, springs and rivers, lakes and wetlands, forests and biodiversity are not merely elements of our beautiful landscape; they sustain our water security, agriculture and horticulture, tourism, livelihoods and ultimately the well-being of our people,” she said.
Prof. Nilofar said changes in glaciers and snow cover, changing precipitation patterns, extreme rainfall events, floods and landslides across the Himalayas are compelling researchers to closely examine the relationship between climate, environment and development.
“Kashmir itself carries the memory of 2014 floods,” she said, adding that the University of Kashmir has both a responsibility and an opportunity to contribute to addressing these challenges.
She said the university has developed considerable institutional and research strength in environmental and climate-related areas, with departments and centres working on environmental science, geoinformatics, Himalayan geology, geography, disaster management, lakes and wetlands, ecology, forests, fisheries, wildlife and biodiversity.
Prof. Nilofar highlighted the National Himalayan Cryospheric Research Lab and the Centre of Excellence for Glacial Studies in the Western Himalaya, saying the initiatives have strengthened the university’s capacity to study the Himalayan belt, climate change and their implications for water resources and mountain communities.
“Scientific knowledge acquires its greatest value when it moves beyond our laboratories, journals and conference halls and contributes to informed public policy and societal well-being,” she said.
Addressing young researchers, Prof. Nilofar said Kashmir itself is a “living laboratory”, with its mountains, glaciers, Jhelum and its catchment, lakes, wetlands, forests and communities presenting important scientific questions.
“Research becomes more meaningful when knowledge is translated into solutions that improve people’s lives,” she said.
She said the deliberations of the conference should lead to stronger collaborations, better datasets, interdisciplinary research, innovative technologies and meaningful policy inputs.
“We must increasingly move from documenting problems to anticipating them and, wherever possible, providing solutions,” she said.
Prof. Nilofar also stressed the importance of awareness and collective responsibility, saying that science should strengthen preparedness, data enable informed decisions, research inform policy, technology serve society and development proceed in harmony with the environment.
She said clear-cut instructions have been given to the organisers to submit recommendations at the university, UT and national levels.
The Vice-Chancellor also thanked the Lieutenant Governor and Chancellor of the University of Kashmir, Shri Manoj Sinha, distinguished speakers, delegates, scientists, academicians, researchers and organisers for their participation in the conference. (JKNS)
