Two-Day Indian Himalayan Region Climate Change Conclave Begins in Imphal
A two-day Indian Himalayan Region Climate Change Conclave, themed “Perspectives of Research, Practice, Policy, and Communication,” began today at the City Convention Centre, Imphal. The event is being organized by the Directorate of Environment and Climate Change, Government of Manipur, and will continue till October 17.
Dr. Puneet Kumar Goel, IAS, Chief Secretary, Government of Manipur, inaugurated the conclave as the Chief Guest. Shri Arun Kumar Sinha, IAS, Principal Secretary (Forest, Environment & Climate Change), presided over the inaugural function.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Goel said the conclave marks a significant step toward enhancing collaboration among Himalayan states to tackle the growing challenges of climate change. He stressed that the Himalayan region often experiences extreme weather events and environmental degradation, making cooperation among scientists, researchers, and policymakers crucial for sustainable development.
He pointed out that Manipur, surrounded by hills and valleys, is witnessing the direct effects of climate change such as rising temperatures and frequent floods, as seen in Imphal this year. These issues, he noted, impact agriculture, water resources, public health, and food security. He reaffirmed the State Government’s commitment to promoting adaptive and community-based measures to counter climate challenges.
Dr. Goel also highlighted the Department’s initiatives that integrate traditional knowledge with modern approaches to strengthen community resilience. These include ecosystem restoration, water and forest conservation, and promotion of sustainable heritage-based livelihoods. He further mentioned the ongoing conservation of five major wetlands—Yaral Pat, Utra Pat, Yaimeng Lake, Waithou-Pumlen-Koidum Pat, and Loktak Lake—as part of nature-based climate mitigation efforts.
The first technical session, chaired by Dr. N.H. Ravindranath, Professor (Retd.), IISc Bengaluru, focused on “Advancing Scientific Understanding of Climate Change in the Himalayas.” Experts discussed gaps in climate data, integration of indigenous traditional knowledge, and case studies on glaciers, biodiversity, and water resources. Participants included Dr. Suresh C. Attri (Himachal Pradesh), Smt. Subrata B. Dutta (West Bengal), Dr. Majid Farooq (Jammu & Kashmir), Dr. H. Nanaocha Sharma (IBSD, Manipur), Prof. L. Nabachandra Singh (CAU, Manipur), and Dr. Wazir Alam (Manipur University), among others.
The second session, chaired by Dr. H. Birkumar Singh, Chief Scientist, CSIR-NEIST, Manipur, centered on “Climate-Resilient Practices.” It featured talks and discussions on community-led adaptation, sustainable lifestyles, circular waste management, and innovative climate solutions in agriculture and energy. Experts from various Himalayan states and institutions, including Ms. Thingreiphi Lungharwoshi (Mountain Indigenous Knowledge Centre, Manipur) and Mr. Mukesh Patil (ACWADAM, Pune), also participated.
The inaugural day saw the participation of senior government officials, scientists, researchers, policymakers, and representatives from several Himalayan states. The conclave aims to develop actionable frameworks and strengthen inter-state cooperation to address climate impacts across the Himalayan belt.