IIPA, Forest Dept hold seminar on challenges of climate change

In a concerted effort to address the growing challenges of climate change, the Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA), J&K Regional Branch, in collaboration with the J&K Forest Department, organised a seminar titled “Climate Change: Challenges, Mitigation and Adaptation.”

The seminar brought together leading experts, policymakers, and academicians to deliberate on the multifaceted nature of climate change and explore viable strategies for adaptation and mitigation.

Vasu Yadav, Chairman of the Pollution Control Board and Director of Environment Remote Sensing, J&K, presented a unique perspective by tracing the roots of climate change awareness back to ancient scriptures like the Ramayana and Mahabharata. He emphasised that climate change is not a new phenomenon, but a recurring theme throughout human history. “While rapid socio-economic development has contributed to our current environmental challenges, history teaches us that change is inevitable — and so is adaptation,” he said.

Dr Rajeshwar Singh Jasrotia, IFS (Retd), highlighted the alarming climatic events witnessed globally in recent decades, including erratic rainfall, intense heat waves, severe droughts, and increasing frequency of extreme weather events such as hurricanes and cloudbursts. He underlined the urgent need for coordinated global action to address these meteorological aberrations.

BR Sharma, Chairman of IIPA J&K Regional Branch and chief guest of the event, invoked the ancient wisdom of the Vedas, stressing the importance of harmony with nature. Citing the Atharva, Rig, and Yajur Vedas, he stated, “If we harm the earth, our mother, we are harming ourselves.” He also categorised climate change as a dual challenge — one of environmental imbalance and inequity, warning that disruption to any of the five elements — earth, water, fire, air, or ether — would inevitably lead to a destabilisation of the others.

The seminar was presided over by Dr Ashok Bhan, Patron of IIPA J&K Regional Branch. He appreciated the timely initiative and stressed the importance of public awareness, policy support and grassroots-level action in combating climate change.

The event served as a significant platform for knowledge sharing, inspiring a collective commitment to environmental stewardship rooted in both modern science and ancient traditions.