The five-day-long 2023 International Conference on Himalayan Environment in Changing Climatic Scenario (HECCS), organized by the Mountain Research Institute of the University of Ladakh, commenced on September 19. The inaugural session witnessed the presence of Brigadier (Dr.) BD Mishra (Retd), the Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh.
During the inauguration, the Lieutenant Governor emphasized the significance of the conference’s theme, stating that climate change has a profound impact not only on Ladakh but also on the entire trans-Himalayan and Himalayan region. He noted that experts from various parts of India and abroad had gathered to share their insights and expert recommendations for the betterment of Ladakh and the surrounding trans-Himalayan regions. Furthermore, he stressed that in India, the Himalayas are revered not only for their religious importance but also for their vital role in environmental preservation.
The Lieutenant Governor underscored the importance of respecting and safeguarding the Himalayas to maintain ecological balance and protect the environment. He emphasized that a sense of environmental protection is deeply ingrained in the Indian ethos and should be upheld for the benefit of future generations. He encouraged attendees to pass on the knowledge gained from the conference to their children, family members, and relatives, fostering a collective commitment to safeguarding the fragile environment and ecology of the region. He expressed his belief that this conference would have a lasting impact on the preservation of Ladakh’s delicate environment.
During the event, the Lieutenant Governor released the abstract volume of the HECCS 2023 Conference, compiled by Dr. Bhupendra S Yadav, along with the book titled “The Palgrave Handbook of Socio-ecological Resilience in the Face of Climate Change: Contexts from a Developing Country” authored by Sunil Nautiyal, Anil Kumar Gupta, Mrinalini Goswami, and YD Imran Khan.
The inaugural session of the international conference was attended by Deputy Chairman, LAHDC Leh, Shri Tsering Angchuk; Dr. Anil Gupta from the National Institute of Disaster Management; Dr. OP Mishra from the Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India; Prof (Dr) Talat Ahmad from Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, Dehradun; Dr. Prantik Mandal from CSIR-National Geophysical Research Institute, Hyderabad; Prof (Dr) Marcus Nuesser from Heidelberg University, Germany; faculty and students from the University of Ladakh; as well as delegates from various universities, colleges, and officials from the Union Territory of Ladakh.
