Researchers present papers on climate change, disaster management – Tribune India

Report on the National Seminar: Rethinking Himalayan Development for a Sustainable Future

1.0 Introduction

A two-day national seminar, titled ‘Rethinking Development in the Himalayas: Paving the Way to a Viksit Bharat’, was convened at the Indian Institute of Advanced Study (IIAS), Shimla. The event facilitated a critical discourse on the multi-dimensional challenges and opportunities for sustainable and inclusive development within the Himalayan region. The discussions were framed within the context of the national Viksit Bharat 2047 vision and its alignment with the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

2.0 Thematic Focus and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Research presentations were organized into six technical sessions, covering a wide spectrum of issues directly linked to the SDGs. Key thematic areas included:

• Climate Action and Environmental Protection (SDG 13, SDG 15): Papers addressed climate change impacts, disaster risk management, ecological balance, and the preservation of the Himalayan environment. Specific case studies included environmental pressures in the Darlaghat region and landslide vulnerabilities.
• Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG 11): The challenges of rapid urbanisation and the need for resilient infrastructure in high-altitude regions were central themes, focusing on creating safe and sustainable human settlements.
• Life Below Water and on Land (SDG 14, SDG 15): Discussions covered the management of water resources and the intricate relationship between forest ecosystems and local folk cultures, emphasizing biodiversity and traditional conservation practices.
• Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8): Research explored pathways for sustainable economic development through agricultural commercialisation and financial inclusion, aiming to create equitable opportunities for Himalayan communities.
• Reduced Inequalities and Strong Institutions (SDG 10, SDG 16): The seminar examined comparative development trajectories across Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu & Kashmir. It also touched upon geopolitical and military-strategic contexts, linking regional stability to the broader goal of peace and justice.
• Cultural Heritage Preservation (SDG 11.4): A significant focus was placed on the value of traditional knowledge systems and the preservation of cultural heritage as integral components of sustainable development.

3.0 Seminar Proceedings

1. Inaugural Session: The seminar commenced with a welcome address by Mehar Chand Negi, Secretary of IIAS. The keynote address by Prof Ramesh Chandra Sinha provided critical insights into the Himalayan ecological landscape, climate vulnerabilities, and geopolitical dynamics, setting the stage for discussions aligned with sustainable development frameworks.
2. Technical Sessions: Scholars from across India presented research that underscored the urgency of integrating SDG principles into regional policy. The presentations collectively called for policy frameworks that balance development aspirations with environmental and social sustainability.
3. Valedictory Session: The concluding session, chaired by Prof Sachidananda Mohanty, reinforced the unique identity of the Himalayan region and the need for tailored development models that respect its ecological and cultural distinctiveness.
4. Observance of Constitution Day: A special programme marked Constitution Day, where participants reaffirmed their commitment to the constitutional values of justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity. This act highlighted the foundational link between constitutional principles and the core tenets of the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 10 and SDG 16.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 1 (No Poverty): The article mentions themes like “financial inclusion” and “agricultural commercialisation,” which are directly linked to economic upliftment and poverty reduction in the Himalayan region.
• SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation): The discussion on “water resources” highlights the importance of managing this vital resource sustainably in the Himalayas, which is a core component of SDG 6.
• SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): The article addresses “urbanisation,” “landslide vulnerabilities,” and the preservation of “cultural and environmental” heritage. These topics are central to making human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.
• SDG 13 (Climate Action): “Climate change,” “disaster risk management,” and “high-altitude resilience” are explicitly mentioned as key themes, directly aligning with the goal of taking urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.
• SDG 15 (Life on Land): The focus on “environmental preservation,” “ecological balance,” “forest–folk culture,” and the overall Himalayan ecosystem connects directly to protecting, restoring, and promoting the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems.
• SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions): The seminar itself, which aims to create “policy frameworks” and facilitate “meaningful discourse” on development, represents an effort towards building effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels. The mention of “Himalayan geopolitics” also falls under this goal.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 1.5: By 2030, build the resilience of the poor and those in vulnerable situations and reduce their exposure and vulnerability to climate-related extreme events. This is reflected in the discussion on “disaster risk management,” “landslide vulnerabilities,” and “high-altitude resilience.”
2. Target 6.5: By 2030, implement integrated water resources management at all levels. The mention of “water resources” as a key issue in the Himalayan region points directly to this target.
3. Target 11.4: Strengthen efforts to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage. This is directly addressed through the themes of “cultural and environmental preservation” and “forest–folk culture.”
4. Target 11.5: By 2030, significantly reduce the number of deaths and the number of people affected and substantially decrease the direct economic losses relative to global gross domestic product caused by disasters. The focus on “landslide vulnerabilities” and “disaster risk management” aligns with this target.
5. Target 11.b: By 2020, substantially increase the number of cities and human settlements adopting and implementing integrated policies and plans towards inclusion, resource efficiency, mitigation and adaptation to climate change, resilience to disasters. The seminar’s aim to create “policy frameworks” for “sustainable and inclusive development” in the face of “climate vulnerabilities” supports this target.
6. Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries. This is a central theme of the seminar, highlighted by terms like “climate change,” “disaster risk management,” and “high-altitude resilience.”
7. Target 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services. The discussion on “ecological balance” and “environmental preservation” in the Himalayas is directly related to this target.
8. Target 15.4: By 2030, ensure the conservation of mountain ecosystems, including their biodiversity, in order to enhance their capacity to provide benefits that are essential for sustainable development. This is the most specific target related to the article’s focus on the Himalayan region.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article does not mention any explicit quantitative indicators. However, it implies areas where measurement would be necessary to assess progress:

• Implied Indicator for Targets 11.5 & 13.1: The focus on “landslide vulnerabilities” and “disaster risk management” implies the need for indicators such as the number of people affected by landslides and the existence and implementation of local disaster risk reduction strategies aligned with national frameworks.
• Implied Indicator for Target 11.4: The discussion on “cultural and environmental preservation” implies the need for indicators measuring the total expenditure on the preservation, protection, and conservation of all cultural and natural heritage.
• Implied Indicator for Target 15.4: The focus on the Himalayan “ecological balance” implies the use of indicators like the Mountain Green Cover Index to measure the extent of conservation of mountain ecosystems.
• Implied Indicator for Target 1.5: The theme of “high-altitude resilience” suggests the need for indicators that measure the resilience of communities to environmental and economic shocks, particularly in vulnerable mountain regions.

Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: tribuneindia.com