Oneday workshop on wetland management in Assam University

Way2barak, February 21 : A one day validation workshop on “Assessing the Implications of Wetland Management and Shifting Cultivation in Assam” was held on 21st February 2023 in the Premendra Mohan Goswami Conference Hall of Assam University, Silchar (AUS) to validate the two reports, one on Shifting Cultivation and its dynamics in Assam and another on Wetland Management and its Implications on Environmental conservation in Assam prepared under the aegis of HKN- Assam University project team of Assam University. The inaugural program was presided over by Vice Chancellor Assam University Prof. RM Pant.

Prof. Niranjan Roy, the Nodal person of the project delivered welcome address and explained the purpose of the workshop. He has appraised the delegates that a MOU was signed on 22 nd Feb 2023 with the GB Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment,Sikkim Regional Centre for undertaking research as mandated by National Mission on Himalayan Environment, Ministry of Environment and Forest, Govt of India for its initiative on Himalayan Knowledge Network for preparing a strong database for the Himalayan region. He has also informed that NiTi Aayog has taken initiative for developmental interventions in the Himalayan region to explore development potentially. Assam University has prepared two documents as per the MOU.
Dr. Rajesh Joshi, Regional Director, GB Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment, Sikkim Regional Office addressed the workshop as Guest of Honour.

He has highly appreciated the effort of Assam University HKN team for completion of two reports within the time allotted to them. He has also observed that in the near future the collaborative research work between GB Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment will be strengthened for undertaking more research on Himalayan region.

Prof. S.K. Tripathi, Department of Forestry, Mizoram University delivered in the inaugural session. He has highlighted the evil effects of Shifting Cultivation and the transformation in the north eastern region.
Prof. RM Pant in his presidential speech highlighted about the rich resources available in the Himalayan region and the requirements of proper development framework for accelerating the development momentum in the region. He has appreciated the GB Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment for signing MOU with Assam University for this Himalayan Knowledge Network project.

The first technical session was presided over by Prof. S.K. Tripathi. Prof. Abhik Gupta, former Dean, school of Environmental sciences and Pro Vice Chancellor of Assam University made a detailed presentation on the report prepared by him on Wetland Management. He has focused on the findings of decling Wetland scenarios in many parts of Assam including in Barak Valley. This situation will lead to vulnerability in Management of flood situations and its control.

The second technical session was presided by Prof. Abhik Gupta. Dr. Arunjyoti Nath, Associate professor, Department of Ecology and Environmental sciences, Assam University made an elaborate presentation on the report prepared by the team on Shifting Cultivation and its dynamics in Assam. He has highlighted about the evil effects of Shifting Cultivation in Environment and declining productivity due to shortening of jhum cycle. He has presented an alternative model for conservation of nutrients in the soil through crop rotation and multiple cropping techniques. Prof. Rajiv Mohan Pant, Vice Chancellor, Assam University, Silchar in the presence of various dignitaries, resource persons and participants from different department of Assam University, Silchar.

In his opening remarks, Vice Chancellor highlighted the importance of collaborative actions and spoke on the need for taking up assessment focused on the Himalayan ecosystem. He also highlighted the importance of Sone Beel, Karimganj, Barak valley, Assam and its possibility to be included among the Ramsar sites.  He also stressed on the need for proper policy documentation and implementation.
Dr. Rajib Pandey, Scientist, Forest Research Institute, Dehradhun made an online presentation on the Management of ecosystem services for sustainable development. Dr. Keshav Uphadhay also made a presentation on management practices of Shifting Cultivation.

About 80 researchers and PhD students and other teachers from different departments participated in the day long workshop. They have raised many questions and concern on the issues of Shifting Cultivation and Wetland management. The interactions were very lively and also Resource Persons highlu appreciated about the participation of young research scholars in the workshop.
The concluding observations were delivered by Dr. Rajesh Joshi.

The young researchers and studen actively participated in the interactive session on issues related to climate change with the experts. The vote of thanks was delivered by Dr. Arunjyoti Nath