International Conference on Environmental Changes and Sustained Development

Feb 9 - The Haryana Governor, Dr. A.R. Kidwai todayinaugurated a three-day First International Conference on'Environmental Changes and Sustained Development' organised at Hisarby the Environmental Science and Engineering Department of GuruJambheshwar University of Science and Technology, Hisar.

The Conference has been organised under the aegis of TechnicalEducation Quality Improvement Programme of the World Bank. Dr. RushShenal, Deputy Director, National Oceanic and AtmosphericAdministration, USA is the guest of honour in the Conference.Dr. Kidwai, who is also the Chancellor of the University, honoured arenowned Environmentalist, Sant Balbir Singh of Nirmal Kutiya Sichwalwith Madhu Bhasin Memorial Award. He also released the proceedings ofthe Conference.Addressing the Conference, Dr. Kidwai said that the emission of thegreen house gases, particularly carbon dioxide gas was polluting ourenvironment and this pollution was increasing day by day, which is amatter of great concern. Effective steps would have to be taken todeal with this problem, he added.

He said that changes in environment were affecting our socio-economiclife, resulting in many serious problems. Because of environmentalchanges, it had become difficult to achieve the target of sustaineddevelopment. He urged the people to use solar energy in agricultureand industries, which causes no pollution. People should be made awareof the uses and benefits of the solar energy which can be helpful inrebuilding India by redressing the problem of power shortage.Expressing his deep concern at ever increasing temperature of theearth, Dr. Kidwai said that by the end of this century, thetemperature of the earth would increase by six degree celsius due toglobal warming, which would affect the life and resources of thedeveloping countries. It was high time to take this problem seriously,as 40 per cent population today was facing the problem of drinkingwater and by 2030, half population would come in this bracket and inthe western countries, 90 per cent people would be facing thisproblem. As per an estimate, one-third of the fish and one-fourth ofmammals were on the verge of extinct.Dr. Devender Dayal Singh Sandhu, the Vice-Chancellor of theUniversity underscored the need for evolving a cohesive policy forenvironment and development at international level to avoid theeffects of environment pollution.

Today, World was facing a number ofproblems like decreasing water table, food protection, global warmingand shortage of power, etc. Time had come to work unitedly to save ourenvironment, he added.Addressing the Conference, Dr. Rush Shenal said that the NationalOceanic and Atmospheric Administration, USA would like to undertakeresearch work in the field of environment with the cooperation of thestudents and teachers of Guru Jambheshwar University, Hisar.