Pithoragarh, Nov. 13 -- The GB Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment (NIHE) on Wednesday announced a three-day conclave on "Environmental Conservation and Sustainable Socio-economic Growth", scheduled from November 13 to 15, institute officials said. Dr ID Bhatt, director of the institute, said that the conclave was being organised in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the ministry of environment, forest and climate change's (MoEFCC) department of science and technology, the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), IIT Roorkee, and several other research institutions. The official institutional release on the planned event states that the programme was aimed at deliberating a development strategy in line with the Centre's goal of a "Viksit Bharat" (Developed India) by 2047. "The event will bring together leading scientists, academicians, policymakers, administrators and representatives from NGOs and mountain communities from 11 Himalayan states and two UTs to deliberate on environmental conservation, climate change adaptation, sustainable livelihoods and regional cooperation," said Dr Bhatt. He added that the Himalayan region, known globally for its biodiversity, cultural heritage and ecological value, was facing increasing challenges from climate change, rapid demographic shifts, unsustainable land-use practices and water resource depletion. "The conclave aims to develop actionable strategies to address these challenges and establish a roadmap for sustainable and inclusive growth in the Himalayan region," he said. The three-day event will feature 21 sessions covering six major thematic areas. "Besides revisiting the existing action plan for the Himalayan region in light of emerging climatic scenarios, the conclave will promote ecosystem-based climate strategies, responsible tourism and green entrepreneurship, along with the development of value-added local products," Dr Bhatt said, adding that the outcomes of the conclave are expected to yield strategies for managing groundwater and land degradation, and effective climate change mitigation and adaptation policies....