Div Com inaugurates IEI Webinar on World Habitat Day

Div Com inaugurates IEI Webinar on World Habitat Day

Srinagar: Institution of Engineers (India) J&K State Centre Srinagar in collaboration with Divisional Administration Kashmir, National Institute of Disaster Management, J&K Forest Department, NIT Srinagar, SSM College of Engineering, Parihaspora and J&K State Emergency Operation Centre, organized a Webinar on the occasion of “World Habitat Day.” The theme selected this year was “Accelerating Urban Action For a Carbon Free World.” The Webinar was inaugurated by Pandurang K Pole, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir and chaired by Er Aamir Ali, Chairman IEI J&K State Centre Srinagar. The Panelists included Irfan Ali Shah, Conservator Forests, Professor Amir A. Khan, Faculty from NIDM and Er Rahil Nazir, Disaster Risk Manager. The Webinar was coordinated by Er. Aaquib Sultana Waheed Deva, Honorary Secretary IEI and moderated by Mohmad Suhail Wani, Bilquees Dar Consultants Disaster Management and Yogita Garbyal, Young Professional NIDM. The Webinar was attended by Council and Corporate Members of IEI from across the Country, students and staff of SSM College of Engineering and NIT Srinagar, besides members of Civil society. Speaking on the occasion Div Com said that global warming and other climate changes have made people realize the importance of ecosystem and sustainable development. He said that there is a need for holistic development of habitat, not just for humans, but also for the animals, flora and fauna.
Er Aamir Ali, Chairman, IEI JKSC said that Climate change is a global threat, cities & urban areas are primarily responsible for maximum green-house gas emissions & global carbon dioxide emissions due to excessive use of vehicles, energy consumption, rampant construction practices & unscientific waste management.
Dr. Amir A. Khan from NIDM said we have to build capacities not only of infrastructure, but also community as first responders. He said that GIS tools can be utilized for better planning in all the sectors and stressed on the need for joint stakeholder collaborations and making urban planning sensitive for Disaster Risk Reduction. Irfan Ali Shah, Conservator Forests spoke about the impact of deforestation and said that Forests act as Carbon sinks and stressed on the need for Investment Balancing Ideas, between heath and forest. He suggested incentivizing the use of electric vehicles and solar energy. Er Rahil Nazir, Disaster Risk Manager suggested decarbonising government setups, healthcare, education and other sectors to make it self-sustainable. He encouraged use of public transport and building green and sustainable infrastructure. He suggested that we should focus on supporting tree growth measures. A documentary on the degradation of the Habitat, prepared by Er Abdul Rashid Bhat was also shown to the participants.

 

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