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Young researchers meet on climate change in India

13.05.2014

A three-day workshop on ‘Unlocking the potential of youth in context of climate change’ was held in Uttarakhand in the Indian Himalayan Region on 28-30 April 2014. The workshop aimed to develop the understanding of 56 young researchers and professionals of climate change adaption and mitigation. The workshop was organized by the Central Himalayan Environment Association (CHEA), in collaboration with GBP Himalayan Institute of Environment and Development (GBPIHED), as the knowledge partner and supported by Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES), Germany.

Representing the Forest Research Institute (FRI), Wildlife Institute of India, Indian Remote Sensing Institute, and various universities and institutions in Uttarakhand, the researchers and professionals participated in the meeting along with development organization workers. The researchers presented recommendations on expanding research about climate change in the Indian Himalayan region and networking, across sectors and institutions. During the workshop potential research topics and methodologies and new ideas to meet the challenges of the climate change were discussed.

Dr P.P. Dhyani, Director GBPIHED expressed the need to strengthen the capacities of young researchers to respond effectively to the challenges. He declared an initiative Himalayan Forum for Young Researchers to be hosted by his institute in September 2014 to offer a platform for dialogue and reflections among budding researchers. Professor S. P. Singh of FRI shed light on climate change and highlighted the critical conditions of the Himalayas, emphasizing the need for quality research.

Professor T.S. Papola of CHEA mentioned the growing need for local level community-based assessment and studying the impacts on livelihoods. Ms Sonali Bisht of INHERE presented an in-depth analysis of the effect of climate change on agriculture and need for climate smart agricultural research and practice. Ms Bhawana Luthra, Lead India, focused on changing trends and a vulnerability assessment that would help better determine priorities.

Dr Pushkin Phartiyal of CHEA urged the group to think out of the box in order to have a multidimensional overview of systematic problems. He stressed the need for climate change-focused workshops for youth in all 12 Himalayan states in India.