ALL INDIA SEMINAR ON "COMBATING CLIMATE CHANGE: AN INTEGRATED PLAN"
15-Dec-2019
Inaugural Session:
The inaugural session was started by welcoming the Guest, Invitees and participants by the organising committee. Er. Th. Joykumar Singh, FIE, Chief Engineer PWD Manipur (Retd.) graced the occasion as Chief Guest. Er. M. Lokendro Singh, FIE, Chief Engineer PWD Manipur (Retd.) & Past Chairman, IEI Manipur SC, along with Er. Kh. Temba Singh, FIE Chief Engineer PWD Manipur & Immediate Past Chairman, IEI Manipur SC and Er. Th. Prameshwor Singh, FIE, Executive Director, NIELIT Imphal graced the occasion as Special Invitees. The session was presided by Er. N. Shyamsundar Singh, FIE, Chairman, IEI Manipur SC.
The welcome speech was delivered by Dr. K. Rambha Devi, MIE, Assistant Professor, Manipur Institute of Technology (MIT) Imphal. The traditional lamp has been lightened by the dignitaries on the dais to commemorate the event. A souvenir was also released by the dignitaries during the occasion. The Special invitees have expressed their views and comments relating to the various issues which are facing in the modern society as a result of climate change. The Chief Guest expressed that equal focus must be given to all the concerned departments / divisions for combating climate change. The president of the function expressed his views on the various methods to combat climate change. He also mentioned that the fossil fuel utilization must be replaced by renewable sources such as hydroelectric and solar energy to cut down emissions.
The seminar has witnessed more than 150 participants along with guest, special invitees and speakers.
Technical Session I (14th December 2019):
The Technical Session I was chaired by Dr. M. Rohinikumar Singh, Former Director of Research, Central Agricultural University, Imphal. The rapporteur for the session was Er. HaobijamLinthoinganbiChanu, AMIE.
- Dr. I. Meghachandra Singh, ICAR Lamphelpat, Imphal deliberated on “Changing weather pattern under climate change regimes and its impact on Agriculture”. The speaker expressed his views on the research findings of the rainfall pattern and its effect on agriculture for last 65 years in the State. He concluded that such studies are important in making future predictions in agricultural, environmental and other socio-economic aspects.
- Dr.AratiNingombam, ICAR Lamphelpat, Imphaldeliberated on “Impact of climate change on insect pest- challenges and remedies”. The speaker mentioned that climate change has direct and indirect impact on the insects through increase in temperature or elevated CO2 and O3. She also mentioned that the climate change is a global phenomenon and its impact on the insect pest and their management at various levels are observed. She concluded that the changing climate pattern must be made aware to the farmers and proper remedies must be taken in time to combat the changing patterns.
- Dr. T. Basantakumar Singh, ICAR Lamphelpat, Imphaldeliberated on “Impact of climate change on soil resource and options for mitigating the impact of climate and soil”. The speaker expressed his views on the effects of climate change on the natural resources of the North Eastern hilly regions. He mentioned that the mean temperature has been increased by 3°C per decade and such a change have brought increased rainfall in the region. This has caused serious soil erosion and hence leds to low productivity.
Technical Session II (14th December 2019):
The Technical Session II was chaired by Dr. A. Dwijamani Singh, Former Director, Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS), Imphal. The rapporteur for the session was Er. Helena Huidrom, AMIE.
- Prof. (Dr.) Brogen Singh Akoijam, Professor and Head, Community Medicine Department, Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Lamphelpat, Imphal deliberated on “Climate change on health: Consequence and response”. The speaker expressed that all sections of the society must join hands to protect health from climate related risks through management of disaster, safe and adequate water and food sources, preparedness, surveillance and timely response on climate related diseases.
- Dr. Sujata Wagkheirakpam, NIT Manipur deliberated on “Traditional medicinal plants of Manipur and the concept of Umang Lai”. She expressed that the traditional medical plants and grooves which have been prevailing since time immemorial are under threat due to change in climate pattern and extensive deforestation for urbanisation. She concluded that the preservation of the sacred grooves and medical plants is of the need of the hour for the well-being of the future inhabitants.
Technical Session III (15th December 2019):
The Technical Session III was chaired by Dr. H. Tombi Singh, Former Vice Chancellor, Manipur University, Canchipur, Imphal. The rapporteur for the session was Dr.N. Monika Chanu, AMIE.
- Prof. (Dr.) W. Vishwanath, Professor, Manipur University, Canchipur, Imphal deliberated on “Threats to freshwater fish life in Manipur”. The speaker expressed that effective measures such as habitat restoration, conservation of habitats, establishment of Live Gene Banks and conservation of breeding grounds are to be taken up for combating climate change and global warming, since it directly affects the aquatic life through rise in metabolic activities including requirements in oxygen level, intensity of feeding, parasitism, early maturity etc. He concluded that timely action is required from concerned authorities in order to save the native fish species of the State.
- Dr. Th. Tamphasana Devi, NIT Manipur deliberated on “Review of Loktak Lake- A wealthland of Manipur”. She mentioned that many a number of wetlands has been vanishing in the State due to the change in climate and expansion of habitat areas. She mentioned that the largest fresh water lake in the State and entire North-East, Loktak lake (also mentioned in Ramsar Site) has seen decrease in its area in the past decades.
- Shri. AkhamBonbirdhwaja Singh, IFS (Retd.) deliberated on “Forestry sector in building climate resilience in Manipur”. He mentioned that the Central Government has been implementing National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) for the last one decade. He expressed that the level of climate change on the forest of the State is more and such impacts are higher in hilly areas where the law of the land are considerably weaker, and perception of proprietary are highly disputed. He concluded the talk by mentioning that high commitment of the Government and the people is required to combat the ever changing situations.
- Ar. B. Krishnakumar Sharma, Senior Architect, PWD Manipurdeliberated on “Importance of green building on climate change”. The speaker expressed his views on the contribution of the building sector in causing climate change, since it is one among the biggest consumer of energy and largest emitter of greenhouse gases. He mentioned that cost effective and environment friendly buildings need to be constructed to limit energy usage and decrease GHG emissions, called as “Green buildings”. He further state that such buildings have been created using processes that are environmentally responsible and resource-efficient throughout the building’s life cycle.
Technical Session IV (15th December 2019):
The Technical Session IV was chaired by Dr.C. Amuba Singh, Former Vice Chancellor, Manipur University, Canchipur, Imphal. The rapporteur for the session was Er.RubeeKongbrailatpam, AMIE.
- Dr. Ng. Romeji, NIT Manipur, deliberated on “Climate change impacts on hydrodynamics of a reservoir basin: A case study of Singda reservoir, Manipur, India”. The speaker expressed that the present study is focussed around Singda reservoir, since it is the main source of potable water for Imphal. GIS and remote sensing tools were employed to assess the Singda river. He mentioned that SWAT is employed for estimating the sediment yield and the results have shown that the sediment yield was highest in the year 2016 with 880 tons/hectare. He further expressed that such a study is required to assess the life cycle of the reservoir considering the ongoing effects of climate change in the state.
- Dr.BakimchandraOinam, NIT Manipur, deliberated on “Climate change impact assessment on hydrological regime of Manipur river basin”. The speaker have expressed that Manipur river basin lies in the extreme northeast region of India and is under severe pressure for anthropogenic and natural factors. The speakers have used SWAT and HadCAM3 climate model tool to analyse the impact on hydrological parameters in the basin. The speaker further mentioned that the simulations from 1999 to 2017 have shown that annual runoff was observed to be 148.30 m3/s. The speaker concluded that area around Loktak lake and north eastern hilly regions were more prone to climate change.
- Er. L. Swamikanta Singh, FIE, Addl. Chief Engineer, Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) Manipur deliberated on “Fresh water requirements for domestic uses”. The speaker mentioned that the total fresh water reserves in the state is depleting owing to pollution and soil erosion. He also mentioned that siltation and land encroachments for settlement are main reason for decrease in storage capacity of Singda reservoir. He mentioned that although there are various Water Treatments Plants (WTP) positioned at different parts of the State, there is still shortage of clean drinking water of 40 million litres per day in Imphal city.
- Er. N. Shyamsundar Singh, FIE, Chairman, The Institution of Engineers (India), Manipur State Centre deliberated on “Methodical monitoring and evaluation: A must”. The speaker expressed his views on the effects of the fossil fuel to the climate change globally. He elaborated that proper technological interventions in all the sectors is the only possible way for combating climate change. He further stated that hydroelectric sector is one of the promising sectors in the State which can provide clean energy and revenue. He further mentioned that timely monitoring and evaluation of the projects under time to time is a must for theconcerned to check and choose ways for any possible corrective measures, if required and to timely achieve the target.
The Seminar has been a grand success with due regards to all the sponsors, participants, invitees, speakers and the well wishes. On behalf of the organising committee, I also extend my hearties thanks to the Interdisciplinary Coordination Committee, IEI HQ, Kolkata in extending financial and moral support in successfullyorganising the seminar.