Q. What are the objectives of the conference 'The Great Himalayas'
?
Spreaded over a range of about 2500 kms, the Great
Himalaya is one of the world's most fragile ecosystems. The
wide variations in altitude and other agro-climatic parameters
such as rainfall and temperature has resulted into a wide variations
in its geomorphological features. Their geographic remoteness
and unusual climatic conditions greatly constrain economic growth
and development. Environmental degradation, which is on increase,
is an additional cause for concern in the Great Himalayas. Natural
vegetation in the Great Himalayas is overwhelmingly herbaceous.
The fauna of this entire region is quite unique. Many foreigners
consider this region as a final destination. Many researches
have been done in several aspects in this region. Despite immense
research in the region, the findings of research is so scattered
and scanty that the assess to available literature becomes a
very difficult task. Hence, the main aim of The Great Himalayan
Conference is to bring all the researchers from
worldwide involved in Himalayan research to a common platform
with the objectives of facilitating in sharing the knowledge
and to publisize the findings to a wider group of researchers.
Q. How did the idea develop to organise
the conference?
This idea was conceived by Dr. Mohiuddin Munawar,
President of the Aquatic Ecosystem Health and Management Society
(AEHMS), Canada, whom I happen to meet in one of the casual
meeting held at Wetland International in New Delhi, the capital
of India three years back. Dr. Munawar is a highly dynamic and
enthusiastic person who is actively involved in disseminating
the research findings organising conferences worldwide and publiing
the results in a peer reviewed book (Ecovision World Monograph
Series) and in special issues of the AEHMS Journal. Similar
conference on Western Himalayas was organised two years ago
in Kumaon University and there is a plan to host another conference
on Eastern Himalayas at Nagaland University in 2006.
Q. Why you have limited in the five subjects only; Climate,
Health, Ecology, Management and Conservation ?
These are the FIVE issues, which are considered
unique in the Great Himalayas.
Q. What positive factors for the organiser
by organising the conference?
Kathmandu University is pleased to be the first
to organise such an important conference in collaboration with
AEHMS and Himalayan Resources Institute (HIRI)/ Nepal. We have
received many appreciation from researchers worldwide.
Q. Lastly, what are your messages to our
readers?
We believe that this is a wonderful opportunity
for the researchers in the region to interact with the researchers
abroad working in the Great Himalayas, share their experiences
of mountain tracts of varying altitudes, steep slopes etc. and
suggest recommendation to preserve the
uniqueness of Himalayas for future generation.
More
Information on great Himalaya conference
EmaiL kuhimal@ku.edu.np
Fax 977-11-661443
Website http://www.aehms.org/hima01.html
ContacT Dr. Subodh
Sharma Ph.D.
Subodh Sharma Ph.D.
Organising Secretary - International Conference on Great Himalayas,
Jan. 12-16, 2004)
Associate Professor
Department of Biological Sciences and Environmental Science,
Kathmandu University, Dhulikhel.
Fax: 00977-11-661443: Tel: 00977-11-661399
URL: www.geocities.com/sharmaku
Dr.
Subodh Sharma Ph.D. is the Organising Secretary of the International
Conference on Great Himalayas. The conference is being hosted
by Kathmandu University between January 12-16, 2004. The international
Conference on the Great Himalayas will address five major topic
Climate, Health, Ecology, Management and Conservation of the
Great Himalayas. 