Event focuses on water, climate and human well-being; experts discuss Himalayan hydrology, climate change and disaster management
Raipur : The National Institute of Technology (NIT) Raipur organised ‘Himalaya Day 2026’ with the central theme “Himalayas: If They Exist, We Exist”, focusing on the vital role of the Himalayan ecosystem in water security, climate stability and human well-being.
The event was organised by the Department of Applied Geology, NIT Raipur, in collaboration with the National Mission for Himalayan Studies (NMHS) under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Government of India. The programme was coordinated in association with L&P, Leh, Ladakh, and Paryavaran Sanrakshan Gatividhi.
The initiative aimed to encourage scientific discussions as well as practical efforts for the conservation of the Himalayan ecosystem.
Experts Highlight Himalayan Importance
The inaugural session was attended by Amit Dharwadkar, Deputy Director General, Geological Survey of India (GSI), Raipur, as the chief guest.
Prof. Sameer Bajpai, Officiating Director, NIT Raipur, chaired the session. Dr Ranjan Kumar Rai, Regional Director, Rajiv Gandhi National Ground Water Training and Research Institute (RGNGWTRI), under the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB), Ministry of Jal Shakti, and Dr B. R. Lamsoge, Regional Director, North-Central Chhattisgarh Region (NCCR), CGWB, attended as guests of honour.
NIT Raipur’s Chief Vigilance Officer (CVO) Dr Prabhat Diwan, Head of the Department of Applied Geology Dr Neeraj Vishwakarma, Head of the Department of Information Technology Dr Sudhakar Pandey, faculty members, officials and a large number of students were also present.
The programme was convened by Dr D. C. Jharia and coordinated by Dr Mridu Sahu, Dr Chandan K. Singh and Dr Vikas K. Vidyarthi.
Documentary and Musical Performance Set the Tone
Following the formal welcome of the guests, an informative documentary highlighting the ecological importance of the Himalayas and the impact of global warming was screened.
The screening was followed by a musical performance by NIT Raipur’s Raga Club.
In her welcome address, Dr Mridu Sahu outlined the environmental competitions organised for students as part of the event.
Dr Neeraj Vishwakarma spoke about the geological evolution of the Himalayas and stressed the importance of building collective scientific awareness about the mountain ecosystem.
Dr Sudhakar Pandey highlighted the environmental challenges associated with rapid urbanisation and called for public awareness to be translated into measurable environmental action.
Need for Sustainable Development Emphasised
Chief guest Amit Dharwadkar shared his experiences of working in the trans-Himalayan region and underlined the direct as well as strategic importance of the Himalayas for the Indian subcontinent.
He stressed the need to pursue sustainable development without causing further damage to the fragile mountain ecosystem.
In his presidential address, Prof Sameer Bajpai discussed the crucial role of the Himalayas in shaping India’s climate, monsoon cycle, biodiversity and the development of human civilisation.
He called for greater integration of scientific expertise into development policies to address threats arising from climate change and human activities.
The inaugural session concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr D. C. Jharia.
Experts Discuss Water, Climate and Disaster Management
Following the inaugural session, expert sessions were organised on various aspects of the Himalayan region.
Subject experts shared their views on hydrology, climate change and disaster management, highlighting the need for scientific understanding and long-term conservation strategies for the region.
Alongside the expert sessions, students participated in several competitions, including a quiz, poster-making competition and Innovative Ideas (Ideathon).
Students from NIT Raipur and other institutions took part enthusiastically in these activities.
Closing Session Highlights Importance of Public Awareness
The concluding session was attended by Dr Alok Sahu, Director, Central Institute of Petrochemicals Engineering and Technology (CIPET), Raipur; Dr Prashant Kawishwar, Director General, Chhattisgarh Council of Science and Technology (CCOST); and Prof. (Dr.) Narendra D. Londhe, Registrar, NIT Raipur.
Prof Narendra D. Londhe expressed gratitude to all participants and appreciated the institute’s efforts to create awareness about Himalayan conservation.
Dr Alok Sahu described such programmes as an effective means of promoting awareness about pollution control and environmental protection.
Winners of Student Competitions Felicitated
The programme concluded with awards for the winners of various competitions.
In the Poster-Making Competition, Mehak Sharma secured first place, Khyati Som stood second, while Snigdha and Vishal Ghosh jointly secured third place.
In the Quiz Competition, the team of Aniket Chaubey and Ananya Arundhati Mahanti won first place, while Rahul Yadav secured second place.
In the Innovative Ideas Competition, Bharti Mishra won first place, followed by Preetikant Sahu in second place and Rishabh Gupta in third place.
The event highlighted the importance of scientific awareness, sustainable development and collective action to protect the Himalayan ecosystem and its critical role in water, climate and human well-being.
