Stress on balanced development prioritising ecological health
The two-day National Conference on Indigenous Knowledge Systems for a Sustainable Future: A Roadmap to Viksit Bharat-2047 kicked off today at the College of Horticulture and Forestry (COH&F) in Thunag, Mandi district, with experts and policymakers coming together to discuss critical environmental concerns and solutions. The conference, organised by Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry’s COH&F in collaboration with the Indian Ecological Society, is sponsored by the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR), Vision Viksit Bharat @ 2047, and JICA.
In his inaugural address, Chief Guest Chander Shekhar, MLA from Dharampur, emphasised the urgent need to adopt environmentally sustainable lifestyles. He highlighted the significant threats posed by climate change, particularly rising temperatures, which pose a severe risk to the biodiversity of hill states like Himachal Pradesh. Shekhar pointed out that while technological advancements and vast data storage capabilities offer numerous benefits, they come with an environmental cost, such as increased carbon emissions. He warned against unchecked commercialisation that could further harm the environment and advocated for a balanced development approach prioritising ecological health.
Addressing the future generation, Shekhar stressed the responsibility of the youth, who will face the brunt of climate change’s consequences, including shifts in tree species, water scarcity and ecological disasters. He encouraged students to engage with village elders to learn from indigenous knowledge, calling it a moral duty to understand and implement sustainable practices. The MLA also informed the gathering about government initiatives supporting natural farming, such as the minimum support price (MSP) of Rs 40 per kg for wheat and Rs 30 per kg for maize produced through natural farming.
In a virtual address, Acharya Balkrishan, Managing Director of Patanjali Ayurved, underscored the importance of leveraging indigenous knowledge for sustainable solutions. Balkrishan, who is a strong advocate for Ayurveda and Yoga, stressed their relevance in combating modern lifestyle-induced mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. He also emphasised the importance of including millets in diets, promoting individual responsibility for environmental protection, and highlighted the need to document India’s rich biodiversity for conservation and sustainable use.
The Vice Chancellor of Dr YS Parmar University, Prof Rajeshwar Singh Chandel, encouraged scientists to develop region-specific solutions by integrating traditional knowledge into their research. He also highlighted the significance of natural farming in ensuring food security while maintaining the health of water, soil, and ecosystems. Dr Pradeep Kumar, president of the Indian Ecological Society, provided an overview of the society’s efforts to promote discussions on a sustainable future, while Dr PL Sharma, Dean of COH&F Thunag, delivered the vote of thanks.
The conference also saw the participation of renowned environmentalists, including Padma Shri awardee Nek Ram Sharma. Over 132 delegates from eight states, representing 17 universities, research stations, and four national institutes, are attending the event. Six technical sessions are planned, with experts from various fields offering keynote addresses and presenting research on the conference’s key themes: Science and Technology, Indigenous Knowledge Systems, Horticulture & Forestry, Natural Farming and Ayurveda, and Craftsmanship and Ayurvedic Practices.
The discussions and presentations at the conference are aimed at exploring sustainable paths forward, with a particular focus on integrating indigenous knowledge systems into modern environmental conservation strategies, as India strives toward a Viksit Bharat by 2047.
