Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami participated as the special guest at the prestigious World Disaster Management Conference and the 20th Uttarakhand State Science & Technology Conference-2025 on Friday. The significant event took place at the Graphic Era Silver Jubilee Convention Centre in Dehradun, bringing together experts from across the globe.
Honoring Scientific Excellence
During the program, Chief Minister Dhami felicitated outstanding women scientists who have demonstrated remarkable achievements in science and technology. Scientists from various institutions across Uttarakhand received the "Young Women Scientist Achievement Award-2025" and the "UCOST Young Women Scientist Excellence Award" for their contributions to the field.
The recipients of the Young Women Scientist Achievement Award-2025 included Ankita Rajput, Garima Punetha, Mamta Arya, Harshit Pant, Priyanka Sharma, and Priyanka Pandey. Under the UCOST Young Women Scientist Excellence Award, Priyanka Uniyal, Palak Kansal, Radhika Khanna, Stuti Arya, and Devy Mungal were honored for their exceptional work.
Strengthening Disaster Management Infrastructure
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, Jitendra Singh, who also attended the event, made significant announcements to enhance Uttarakhand's disaster management capabilities. He revealed plans for installing advanced weather forecasting radars in Haridwar, Pantnagar, and Auli to strengthen the state's early warning systems.
Minister Singh emphasized that "there could be no better venue than Uttarakhand" for hosting the World Disaster Management Conference, given the state's vulnerability to natural disasters and its pioneering work in disaster management. The event was organized with support from international, national, and state-level institutions, marking a significant step forward in global disaster management efforts.
Climate Change and Himalayan Conservation
Chief Minister Dhami highlighted the critical importance of the Himalayan ecosystem, describing the mountains as "the lifeline of the Indian subcontinent." He expressed concern that climate change, unplanned development, and exploitation of natural resources are disturbing the fragile Himalayan ecosystem.
The three-day conference featured representatives from Himalayan states, along with scientists and researchers from India and abroad, who held detailed discussions on climate change and disaster management in the Himalayan region. CM Dhami expressed confidence that the strategies formulated during the conference would benefit not only Uttarakhand but the entire world.
Referring to national initiatives, CM Dhami mentioned that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, a 10-point agenda for disaster risk reduction has been implemented based on the "4P mantra - Predict, Prevent, Prepare, and Protect."
Uttarakhand's Progressive Initiatives
The Chief Minister detailed several innovative measures Uttarakhand has undertaken for long-term Himalayan conservation. These include establishing digital monitoring systems, glacier research centers, water source protection programs, and promoting public participation in conservation efforts.
Notably, the state has formed Rapid Response Teams and is advancing work on drone surveillance, GIS mapping, satellite monitoring, and sensor-based lake monitoring. Environmental awareness campaigns, plantation programs, and the promotion of green energy have been accelerated across the state.
CM Dhami also highlighted the establishment of the Spring Rejuvenation Authority (SARA) to promote water conservation, through which traditional water sources are being revived. He informed that the "Digital Deposit Refund System" has contributed significantly to plastic waste management, reducing 72 tonnes of carbon emissions in the Himalayan region.
These comprehensive efforts have helped Uttarakhand secure the top position in the NITI Aayog SDG Index, recognizing the state's commitment to sustainable development goals.
During the event, books authored by NDMA Member Dr. Dinesh Kumar Aswal were released, adding to the academic and research-oriented atmosphere of the conference. The Chief Minister concluded by emphasizing that in India's Sanatan culture, nature is revered as a mother, and it is essential to move forward with devotion, tradition, and scientific thinking to address the challenges of disaster management and climate change.
