ITANAGAR, 10 Sep: The GB Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment's North-East Regional Centre (GBPNIHE-NERC) celebrated its annual day at DK Convention Hall here on Thursday with the 13th Pt Govind Ballabh Pant popular lecture, continuing the institute's tradition of commemorating the legacy of Bharat Ratna Pt Govind Ballabh Pant through scientific discourse and engagement with Himalayan communities.
The institute's popular lecture series is held annually around the foundation day of the institute.
Addressing the participants, GBPNIHE-NERC regional head Dr Paromita Ghosh briefed them on the institute and its activities.
The 13th Pt Govind Ballabh Pant popular lecture was delivered by Institute of Under Graduate Studies (IUGS) director Prof Santanu Kumar Patnaik on the theme 'From Pixels to Policy: Remote Sensing & GIS as a Bridge Between Science and Community in the Northeastern Himalaya'.
He highlighted the potential of geospatial science, remote sensing and geographic information system (GIS) in addressing critical environmental and developmental challenges of the Himalayan region.
Prof Patnaik emphasised the importance of translating scientific information derived from satellite data and geospatial technologies into practical solutions for communities and decision-makers. He dwelt on applications of remote sensing and GIS in water security, landslide hazard assessment, land-use change, shifting cultivation, biodiversity conservation and climate-resilient planning in the Northeastern Himalaya. The lecture particularly underlined the need to bridge the gap between scientific research, policy formulation and community-level action.
The programme was attended by eminent scientists, academicians, government officials and representatives of various organisations.
BSI APRC Head Dr Krishna Chowlu, ZSI APRC scientist Dr Ilona J Kharkongor, Himalayan University Dean Dr Raja Hussain, and GSI Director Parminder Singh Sethi also addressed the gathering.
State Forest Research Institute Director HB Aboappreciated the institute's efforts towards strengthening Himalayan environmental research and its connection with society.
The programme also featured presentation of mementoes to the speaker and dignitaries, followed by a cultural programme. A book on beekeeping was also released.
GBNIHE-NERC scientist Dr Wishfully Mylliemngapalso spoke.
