By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Aug 22: A three-day training programme on ‘Resilient Infrastructure for Hilly Regions’ kicked off on Tuesday. It is being jointly organised by North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong, and National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM), Ministry of Home Affairs, at the Social Science Cluster Classroom, NEHU.
The three-day training programme will cover key considerations and strategies for creating resilient infrastructure in hilly regions viz., terrain analysis, site selection, adaptive design, stability and safety, erosion control and drainage, roads and transportation, infrastructure resilience, climate resilience, community engagement, green infrastructure, multi-hazard approach and innovative technologies.
The inaugural session on Tuesday started with welcome address by Prof Devesh Walia, Head of Department of Geology, NEHU, Shillong. He highlighted that building resilient infrastructure in hilly regions requires a comprehensive approach that considers the unique challenges posed by rugged terrain, potential natural hazards, and environmental sensitivity.
Associate Professor, NIDM, Dr Amir Ali Khan, in his address, highlighted the importance of resilient infrastructure stating that it plays a critical role in enhancing the well-being, safety, and sustainability of communities, economies, and the environment. He also stressed on implementation of nature-based solutions (NBS) in resilient infrastructure projects.
Prof Shailesh Nayak, Director, National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bengaluru, in his special address, highlighted the issue of natural hazards and the climate change in hilly region and importance of robust early warning system. He emphasised that the building of effective resilience to natural hazards needs to be addressed at all three levels — the global or the earth system, the social system comprising infrastructure and industrial capability, and the human system.
Commissioner and Secretary, Elections department and Chief Electoral Officer, Dr BDR Tiwari, in his special address, emphasised on relearning of the traditional time-tested knowledge and the local concept of construction with use of modern technology. He mentioned that resilience can be adopted via adapting to climate adaptive solutions, greener approach and capacity building of local community.
Guest of honour of the programme were Dr Prakhar Kumar, Regional Director, AMD-NER, Shillong, and GK Kesari, ADG and HoD, GSI-NER, Shillong; both dignitaries highlighted the use of geoscience in an inclusive manner so that youth can come forward with sustainable approaches for making the future safer and secure.
Prof Lucy TV Zehol, Dean of SHES, NEHU, Shillong, her chairpersons’ remarks advised the young researchers to conduct interrogations critically on developmental practices currently used in the hilly region and how they are impacting the society in long term.