NEW DELHI, Sept 9: Himalayan Day was celebrated with talks, panel discussions and cultural shows at the Hindu College and the Centre of Himalayan Studies (CHS) of Delhi University jointly.
Inaugurating the conference, CHS Director Dr Dinabandhu Sahoo, in his address, said that Himalayan range is experiencing new challenges and going through rapid changes due to unplanned development for economic growth of the region.
The result is frequent flash floods, melting of glaciers, loss of habitats, landslides etc, he said.
Dr Sahoo, who pioneered the famous Cherry Blossom festival in Shillong and other parts of the North East, said that bioeconomy has the potential to generate new jobs for the youths.
“It can also generate new solutions for the planet’s major challenges in the field of health, food, water, climate change and can deliver social, environmental and economic benefits,” he said.
Dr Sahoo said informed that the region is home to several plants, animals and microorganisms which can be used to set up bio-based industries in the Himalayan states.
“Bioeconomy is a relatively new concept and rapidly developing in several nations. India can be a major player with its unique resources from the Himalayan region, especially from Northeastern Himalayas,” he added.
Hindu College principal Prof. Anju Srivatava, in her address, said that students from the college will visit Himalayas and explore various possibilities.
“The college will stress on research on the world’s highest and youngest mountain ranges,” she said.
During the programme, the students also displayed the culture of different states and countries through various activities.
The programme was followed by exhibitions and poster competitions by the students of the Himalayan Study Circle, North East Circle and Panchtatva, the varsity’s environment group.
