Kashmir Impulse Desk
Srinagar, Sep 17
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday called for stronger links between scientific research and government policy to help tackle climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution.
Speaking at the valedictory session of a three-day national seminar at the University of Kashmir, Sinha said the three challenges were interconnected and required governments to work across departmental boundaries.
The seminar brought together ecologists, hydrologists, soil experts, policymakers and researchers from across India.
Sinha said technologies such as geographic information systems, remote sensing and unmanned aerial vehicles could help governments make faster decisions.
He called for greater use of climate sensitivity maps and spatial decision-support systems to move from reactive responses to anticipatory planning.
“We must create systems that do not merely record what has already happened,” Sinha said, arguing that scientists should help build early-warning systems and provide information to those deciding where infrastructure should be built and what should be conserved.
He said governments had access to large amounts of climate data and increasingly sophisticated artificial intelligence tools, but lacked adequate institutional mechanisms to translate scientific findings into district development plans, water management and disaster response.
Sinha called for greater trust and collaboration between scientists and policymakers.
He also urged researchers to work across disciplinary boundaries and policymakers to better understand scientific findings.
Looking towards India’s 2047 development goals, Sinha said economic development would need to be climate-resilient and inclusive.
University of Kashmir Vice Chancellor Prof Nilofer Khan, former vice chancellor Prof Talat Ahmad, former National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research director Rasik Ravindra and KU Dean Academic Affairs Prof Shariefuddin Pirzada attended the event.
