Governor N.N. Vohra inaugurated the 11th Jammu and Kashmir Science Congress here at the University of Kashmir today. The theme of this Congress is “Social, Scientific and Economic Dimensions of Climate Change”. Scientists and research scholars from a number of universities from within the State and from various parts of the country will be discussing the consequences of climate change during this 3 day Congress.In his inaugural address the Governor, who is also Chancellor of the University, welcomed the participants and observed that holding an annual Science Congress is an important occasion for the scientific community and the University and that the regular organization of such an important event contributes towards the creation of an environment which is helpful in promoting the scientific temper in the Universities and across the society.
The Governor observed that rising temperatures and non-traditional climatic changes across the globe is one of the most serious fallouts of the phenomenon of global warming and its consequences have started becoming visible in the form of receding glaciers, floods and other disasters. Quoting the example of last year’s devastating floods in the State, the Governor said that consequences of climate change are posing enormous financial and rehabilitation challenges for the people and the governments.Noting that 60-70% of our population is dependent on agriculture and its allied activities the Governor said that the climate change phenomenon would adversely affect the ongoing efforts to usher in the second Green Revolution. If we do not produce new seeds and plants which are capable of withstanding higher temperatures and fail to evolve practical strategies to increase crop production and productivity, there will be a disastrous crisis arising out of food grain shortages within the country, he observed.
The Governor on the occasion congratulated Prof. Sheikh Javed Ahmed, Dean Research, Kashmir University, for winning a highly prestigious American Fellowship for his excellent research work in the field of Physics and also lauded the research works of Prof. Ramshoo, Head Geology and Earth Sciences, Kashmir University, in the field of climate change. The Governor said that he looked forward to the time when a major part of the Kashmir University faculty would be widely recognized within and outside the country for their high quality valuable researches.The Governor stressed that for optimally utilizing all intellectual and scientific resources available within the Universities and major scientific institutions within J&K , it was essential that there should be meaningful inter institutional linkages both within and beyond the State and identified projects should be undertaken to tackle varied problems facing the State.
The Governor hoped that at the end of this conference some practical recommendations will be made on how to deal with the emerging challenges arising from the climate change and wished all the participants useful and profitable discussions.Earlier Prof Khurshid Iqbal Andrabi, Vice Chancellor, Kashmir University, in his welcome address highlighted the achievements of the University in obtaining national and international fellowships and spoke about the ongoing researches in the Campus.Prof. Sheikh Javed Ahmed, Dean Research, KU, and Convener of the Congress, presented introductory address about the Congress; Prof. M. A Wani, Dean Academic Affairs, KU gave a vote of thanks on the occasion.