Himalayan Young Researchers-2014

Himalayan Young Researchers' Forum

Connecting Researchres to bring Transformation in Research Culture across Himalaya

G.B. Pant Institute of Himayalan Environment & Development (GBPIHED)

Kosi-Katarmal, Almora-263 643, Uttarakhand, INDIA

The Himalaya, on account of its vastness, complexity and spatio-temporal variability, holds a special position among global mountains and represents a unique system for research and development. However, remoteness, difficult terrain, lack of resources and infrastructure have greatly hampered the extent and quality of research in the region. Especially, in recent years when opportunities for laboratory-based researches have increased in mainland India, a continuous decline in the number of motivated and sincere field researchers is causing a grave concern in the region. In this context, it is also pertinent to take note of IPCC (2007) report which states this region to be a ‘white spot’ – read as data-deficient region.

The workshop on ''Mountain Specific Research in the Context of Himalaya", jointly organized by G.B. Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment & Development (GBPIHED), International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) and Indian National Science Academy (INSA) during 19–20 November 2013, after extensive deliberations on possibilities for promoting research culture in the Himalaya, among others, recommended: (i) for devising strong incentive mechanisms to overcome the dearth of dedicated researchers to pursue research in the region, and (ii) the need for establishing networks to strengthen inter- and multi-disciplinarity to foster quality research. Subsequently, a strong need for motivating and mentoring young researchers in the Himalaya was also flagged during the workshop "Unlocking Potential of Youth in Context of Changing Climate in the Indian Himalayan Region" (28–30 April 2014), organized by Central Himalayan Environment Association (CHEA) wherein GBPIHED acted as a knowledge partner.

Considering the above and realizing that motivated and dedicated young researchers can alter the scenario, GBPIHED as a nodal Research & Development organization for Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) has made a humble beginning by way of starting a New Initiative "Himalayan Young Researchers’ Forum".