Kohima, October 11 (MExN): Nagaland policy analyst Amba Jamir will present a paper on gaps in mountain development policy at the 13th Sustainable Mountain Development Summit (SMDS), scheduled to be held at the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K) Shalimar Campus from October 12 to 14.
Jamir, a member of the Governing Council of the Integrated Mountain Initiative (IMI), will deliver a lead presentation titled “The Himalayan Policy Paradox: Missing Mountain Realities” on October 14 during a high-level session on “Science, Governance & Policy for the Mountains.”
The session will be chaired by Jammu and Kashmir Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, IAS, and will examine the gaps between mainstream central planning frameworks and the socio-ecological realities of indigenous mountain communities.
The summit, organised by SKUAST-Kashmir and IMI alongside the J&K Agriculture Science Congress, is themed “Contouring Sustainable Himalayan Landscapes for Inclusive Viksit Bharat.” It will bring together policymakers, researchers, administrators and civil society representatives from across the Indian Himalayan Region to discuss climate resilience, ecological governance and mountain livelihoods.
Nagaland has a longstanding association with the summit, having hosted the 3rd SMDS in Kohima in 2013. The event was organised by the Sustainable Development Forum Nagaland in collaboration with the state government.
The October 14 session will also feature SKUAST-K Vice Chancellor Prof N A Ganai presenting the draft Jammu and Kashmir Sustainable Mountain Development Policy, while Prof Javed Ahmad Mir of the Islamic University of Science and Technology, a former Asian Development Bank official, will speak on basin-based development planning. Three national publications on climate resilience and farmer participation in carbon markets will also be unveiled.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah will attend the inaugural session on October 12 as chief guest. Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences Dr Jitendra Singh will participate in a special session on October 13.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha will attend the valedictory session on October 14, during which the draft Mountain Development Policy will be officially released.
