SHIMLA: In an effort to tackle pressing issues concerning water resources in the Himalayas, the various experts are coming together for the 11th Meet of the Mountain States (MoMS) on March 22nd, 2024, coinciding with International Water Day..
Themed "Water Resources in the Himalaya – Disaster Resilience and Reduction," the event aims to bring together policymakers, elected representatives, and various stakeholders to address key challenges.
The event is being organised by IMI with support from the Uttarakhand Council of Science & Technology (UCOST) and the government of Arunachal Pradesh.
It is an annual event organized by the International Mountain Initiative (IMI), serves as a platform for collaborative action on mountain-related issues.
This year's focus is on advocating for policies that prioritize disaster resilience and allocate adequate financial resources to mitigate long-term damage.
Taking place at the JRD Boutique Luxury Hotel in New Delhi, the conference will feature an inaugural session on "Geo Hydrology of the Himalaya and Disasters," followed by two technical sessions exploring topics such as the linkage between Himalayan geology, river systems, and disaster response, as well as evidence-based disaster risk reduction (DRR) strategies.
The meet is being organized by the Integrated Mountain Initiative (IMI) with support from the Government of Arunachal Pradesh and the Uttarakhand Council of Science & Technology (UCOST)
The MoMS is an annual gathering that brings together policymakers, elected representatives, partners of IMI, and relevant agencies to focus on key mountain issues.
This year's focus is to inform policymakers about the importance of incorporating mountain sensitivity into disaster policies and allocating appropriate financial resources for long-term damage mitigation.
Held at the JRD Boutique Luxury Hotel in New Delhi, the event will feature an inaugural session on "Geo Hydrology of the Himalaya and Disasters", followed by two technical sessions discussing the linkage between Himalayan geology, river system disasters, disaster response, and the management of water in the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR).
The notable figures such as Dr. Eklabya Sharma from ATREE, a representative from the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Dr. Durgesh Pant from UCOST, Mr. Arvind Mehta, Dr. PK Joshi from JNU, Prof Arun Kansal from TERI, Dr. Smriti Basnett from DCCC, representatives from various government bodies and organizations like The Club of Rome, GIZ, KFW Development Bank, The Nature Conservancy will address the meet.
The conference will be attended by representatives from Mizoram, Uttarakhand, and Sikkim, as well as student unions, state chapters of IMI, researchers, academia, and members of the Integrated Mountain Initiative, emphasizing a collaborative effort to address mountain-related challenges.
Also present will be experts from various institutions such as the Special Center for Disaster Research (SCDR) at JNU, TERI, and the Delhi University, among others.
Participating organizations range from governmental bodies like the State Disaster Management Authorities to international entities like The Club of Rome and The Nature Conservancy. Additionally, representatives from academic institutions, research organizations, and student unions from across the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) will contribute to the discussions.
With a comprehensive lineup of speakers and stakeholders, MoMS 2024 seeks to foster collaboration and drive actionable solutions for the sustainable management of water resources in the Himalayas, ensuring resilience in the face of mounting challenges.
