NEHU to foster Geosciences study

SHILLLONG, Sep 27: The newly established Department of Geology in North-Eastern Hill University will collaborate with institutes and organisations across the world to promote research in the field of Geosciences. This was informed by HoD, Geology Department, NEHU, Prof. Devesh Walia, during an international webinar.
According to a statement, an international webinar on ‘Permafrost Research: Opportunities  and Scope in India’ was on Saturday organised by Department of Geology, NEHU, in association with Permafrost Young Researchers Network (PYRN) — an international organisation established under the patronage of the International Permafrost Association.
Prof. Walia, during his address, spoke at length about the importance of research in the field of Permafrost, and made references to the Permafrost regions in the Himalayas.
“Permafrost is ground that continuously remains below 0 °C (32 °F) for two or more years. Permafrost frequently contains large amounts of biomass and decomposed biomass that has been stored as methane and carbon dioxide in the permafrost, making the tundra soil a carbon sink. As global warming heats the ecosystem and causing soil thawing, the permafrost carbon cycle accelerates and releases much of these soil-contained greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, creating a feedback cycle that increases climate change. The adverse effect of climate change on the Permafrost is one of the most important fields of research in the current situation,” Prof. Walia said.
Other dignitaries also spoke on Permafrost research during the webinar.