NATIONAL CONFERENCE on CLIMATE CHANGE & THE HIMALAYAS: RE-ASSESSING THE DEVELOPMENT TOWARDS WATER SECURITY & SUSTAINABILITY Date: Friday, December 15, 2023 | Time: 10:00 AM Onwards —_ ___ Platform: Hybrid Mode (New Delhi & Google Meet) eS “India is moving along a “Very Clear Roadmap” to tackle climate y change. It is time to walk the talk. India’s global commitments to. tackle climate change must be aeeeesttcd by” a ‘fobust = _ . framework to protect its domestic ecologies.” os eae a -Sh. ene 1 (Prime Mi ister of india) © © & & @GcTcworLDIndia is setting an example to the world that it is not necessary to halt development works for protecting the environment. Both economy and ecology can go together, and move forward. And this is the path India has chosen. - Sh. Narendra Modi (Prime Mi ister of India) BACKGROUND In line with the vision and mission of our Honorable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, on tackling the climate change, we at GCTC (Global Counter Terrorism Council); a leading International think tank of the country is organising one day long Conference on “Climate Change and Himalayas: Reassessing the Development towards Water Security & Sustainability .” The Himalayas are highly vulnerable to disasters due to effects of climate change and poorly executed human intervention, resulting in substantial increase in loss of human life & property. Being the youngest mountain ranges in the world, they pose inherent susceptibility to heavy rains, flash floods, landslides, and other natural disasters. The climate vulnerabilities have significant implications for various sectors like water resources and hydrology, agriculture and food security, biodiversity and ecosystems, glacier retreat and avalanches, health and public health infrastructure, tourism and livelihoods, transport and infrastructure, energy generation, urban development and settlements, cultural heritage, livestock and agriculture practices, water quality and sanitation, etc. Himalayas being one of the most beautiful mountain range in the world is a huge global tourist attraction however due to unprecedented development initiatives resulting in climate change is affecting the allure of the himalayas. Development & expansion in such a large scale has been troublesome however Climate Change has made the situation more critical & alarming . Both Conservation and development are crucial as it encompasses other factors that needs to look of, for example development of roads, railways, dams. The contemporary conditions demand that both conservation & development to be seen as integral part to each other & not separately. North and Northeast States of India ‘The effect of climate change across the Himalayan region, Jammu and Kashmir faces special challenges concerning security like the Indus treaty and hydropower development. Addressing the issues requires a nuanced approach that balances security concerns with the imperative of sustainable energy development. Similarly, Hydropower development in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand must be pursued with an emphasis on social harmony and the protection of investments, particularly under the changing hydro-climatic regime, Addressing Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) and _—_ related vulnerabilities, along with ensuring seismic resilience in developmental projects, are crucial for long-term sustainability. Additionally, managing tourism pressures and addressing interstate water management issues are vital for sustained progress. Glacial melt, changing snowing season and heavy floods are the effect of climate change in North- Eastern region of India. For example climate change effects in Sikkim has reduced the production of crops thereby increasing the states dependency on other regions. States like Nagaland, Manipur and Meghalaya have been facing drought like situation due to changes in weather pattern resulting in increase food insecurity in the region, Arunachal Pradesh is facing rise in average temperature, particularly the minimum temperature as a consequence of the global climate change. Alongside the climate change challenges, India is susceptible to the growing interference from China in the Assam- Brahmaputra region. This require a comprehensive strategy that incorporates societal participation in new developments. Emphasizing sustainable approaches and fostering community involvement are key to navigating these challenges effectively.ORGANISING COMMITTEE gO8 ANILRAZDAN.IAS(R) ALOK PERTI.IAS(R) CLEOPASKAL RRL RASHMLIAS(R) ASHWINE.PANDYA —_DEVENDRAK SHARMA Former Secotay(Power) a, Senor Fellow or nde- Forme pL Secrets Scratary General 10 Chaipenan HPERE ‘Cov of nla Pustieat 3D, Us Moraceae. ctndla Ferme Charman, Cencral_—-Membet NSAB & Farmer stor ommisson Chatman SBME KEY FOCUS AREAS OF THE CONFERENCE 1. Key takeaways of G20 New Delhi declaration & Road to COP 28. 2. Securing the borders and managing hostilities in a challenging geopolitical environment, integration of security with local populace. 3. Dam Safety Audit & Risk Assessment, Dam Rehabilitation & Sustainable Reservoir Management. 4, Assessing Himalayan Climate Vulnerabilities & Developmental Challenges: Power Infrastructure, Border Infrastructure Development, Water Infrastructure Development. Surface Transport, Sustainable agriculture for local prosperity. 5. Perspective from the Himalayan States: J&K - Special challenges of security, hydropower development. Himachal Pradesh & Uttarakhand - Hydropower development with social harmony, protecting investments under changing hydro-climatic regime, GLOF & related vulnerabilities, Seismic resilience in developments. Sikkim, Nagaland, Manipur, Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh Brahmaputra challenges with China, hydropower development, societal participation in the new developments. WHO MUST ATTEND? Ministerial representatives. Policy Makers and Sectoral Advisors. PSU and Private Sector Industry Representatives (MDs, CEOs, CXOs and Senior Management) from the Energy, Technology, Finance, Transportation and related sectors. Academician, Researchers and Scholars Bureaucrats & Government officials. Civil Society representatives (NGOs, Advocacy groups and think-tanks). Diplomatic Mission and Trade Body representatives. * Officials from the Ministries ( MOEFCC, DST MoPNG, MOP, MNRE, NitiAayog, MEA) * Officials from Himalayan States of India(J&K, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, Meghalaya, West Bengal, Assam, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur) * Technical Organisation CWC, CEA, EIL, BBMB, ISRO, DRDO, IIT, IISc Etc. * Officials from Oil PSUs (ONGC, IOCL, OIL, HPCL, GAIL, BPCL) * Officials from Power PSUs (NTPC, NHPC, Powergrid, REC, NEEPCO, PFC, SJVNL, THDC) * Officials from Private Sector (GMR , TATA Power, Adani Power, JSPL * Officials from Academia (Teri, ISIL, ICID) * And OthersABOUT GCTC Global Counter Terrorism Council is a registered non-profit, non-partisan international think tank initiated by public spirited individuals to awaken further issues of national interest and global conscience about terrorism as a threat to humanity, human security and global peace. Members from diverse backgrounds like former senior bureaucrats, academicians, former officers from the armed forces and paramilitary services, distinguished former diplomats, leading researchers, media analysts, parliarnentarians, human right leaders etc. provide support and regularly contribute to the work of the council, with the aim to deliberate on the root causes of global terrorism and to present effective solutions to the problems faced by society and the government. OUR PATRONS Dr. Yogendra Narain Dr. Shekhar Dutt Amb. Shashank. Prakash Singh Fomsygpescla " armrchetaf tryout "Frwy Stunt acuy” Tomas Punigntntay Former BrP ane Ee Nate Nt) S206 Sanjeev Tripathi _Lt Gen Syed Ata Hasnain ‘Anil Razdan, 1AS(R) 14, Gen, Suresh Sharma, GCTC CONFERENCE SECRETARIAT B-30, Ground Floor, Sector-6, Noida-201301 Tel: +91-120-4788620, +91-120-3111311 | Mob.: +91-9810875236, 9811881997 Email: info@gctcworld.org | Web: https://gcteworld.org f in