Media Release
Moodbidri, Nov 22: "The effects of climate change due to global warming and urbanization is devastating human society. Without addressing these problems, any attempt to control climate change is a futile effort," said Anandi Subramanian, principal adviser, ministry of Environment, and Government of India.
She addressed a conference on ‘Lake-2018', the 11th biennial conference jointly organised by the Energy and Wetland Research Group, Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science and Alva’s Education Foundation, on Thursday November 22 at VS Acharya Hall.
Speaking at the Lake symposium organised under the topic ‘conservation and sustainable management of riverine ecosystem’, the chief speaker Subramanian stated that improper usage of water resources could lead to adverse effects. With this regard the government’s new project ‘green skill development programme and national environmental survey’ could see new hope.
Member of Parliament, Nalin Kumar Kateel, delivered the presidential remark and said, "Nature has a sense of divinity because of the image built by our ancestors and aesthetic beauty. Our ancestors always taught us to worship nature to encourage younger generations to conserve nature and there is need of restoration of their attitudes now."
Lake 2018 chairman and IISc scientist, Dr T V Ramachandra, elucidated the idea of a new ecological order by developing sensible attitude of development which would not threaten nature as well as livelihood. He referred to the need of conservation of ecologically sensitive regions, rivers and reservoirs. "Rivers are a basic need for the existence of civilisation. We know how to use and abuse resources and we are failing in understanding its impacts."
Uma Mohan Yalahanka, Srividya Bangalore, Narendra Prasad Lucknow and Rajashekhar Murthy Canada were felicitated on the event for their excellent efforts in the field of ecology. A poster depicting ecologically sensitive areas in Karnataka and a book which includes collection of data sources of eco sensitive areas and a pendrive which contains a softcopy of the source data were released.
More than 800 students across the state, Indian-foreign delegates were present in the session. The conference will be continued for three more days including a paper presentation by students and interaction with foreign-Indian scientists.
Alva’s Education Foundation trustee Vivek Alva, Alva’s College principal Dr Kurian, Vagdevi Vilas Institution’s chairman Harish Krishnamurthy were present among the others.