By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Important research papers on solar energy, deforestation and ecology were presented in the recently concluded 2nd International Conference, a three-day event on Sustainability: People, Planet & Prosperity conducted by IIM Shillong. Billed as “Sus-Con 2011”, the conference which commenced on Wednesday focused on sustainable socio-economic development. Over 150 participants, including 25 delegates from across the globe attended and 36 research papers were presented.
Prof Kovacs Gabor, Corvinus University, Budapest, Hungary made some telling remarks The professor who teaches Business Ethics expressed concern at the reckless coal and limestone mining in Meghalaya and the large scale deforestation that is going across the world. “I saw several trucks carrying coal while coming to this conference. I don’t know how many trucks move everyday. Now that is unsustainable and it should be within limits. The current trend has to change,” he said.
On the ceaseless export of coal from the state, the professor said, “It is destructive what is going on now. Exporting non-renewable resources should be checked or else the people will suffer in the long run.” Prof Gabor observed that there is much to learn from the ongoing conference as local researchers from the country have presented papers dealing with conservation practices, solar plants, deforestation among others. “What is happening now is destruction. But we must work towards a sustainable future,” he said.
For a sustainable future, the professor said small communities from all over the world must be involved and India has a major role to play since 1/7 of the global population lives here. “The world population has hit the 7 billion mark recently. Right now it is unsustainable.” Prog Gabor remarked.
Prof SK Mazumdar, Chairman, Sus-Con 2011 said that sustainability has several perspectives and the conference tried to address all these perspectives. “The key point is continuity of the planet and its sustainability.
Mazumdar said that the population of the world was 3.5 billion 50 years ago and by 2050 it will be 9 billion but the size of earth has remained the same with receding natural resources. “We tried to address these issues as there is a need to revisit action, philosophy, activity (Contd on P-10)