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FHSSLA Organises a Two-Day Event on “Climate Change and Sustainable Development: An Interdisciplinary Approach”

The Faculty of Humanities, Social Sciences, and Liberal Arts (FHSS&LA), Sikkim Manipal University (SMU), in collaboration with the Student Research Forum (SRF), organized a two-day event on “Climate Change and Sustainable Development: An Interdisciplinary Approach”, on September 24-25, 2024. The event began with a poster-making competition on the first day, where five student groups showcased creative posters related to climate change and sustainability. Faculty members from FHSS&LA judged the posters, selecting the top three based on creativity, relevance, and presentation, setting a stimulating tone for the subsequent symposium.

The main event—a one-day symposium—commenced on September 25, 2024, with a formal inaugural session. The dignitaries present in the inaugural session were officiating Registrar Dr. Gopal Thapa, Chairperson SRF, Dr. Barkha Devi, Convenor, Coordinator and the faculties of the department. The ceremonial lamp was lit, symbolizing the light of knowledge, followed by a welcome address by Dr. Suditya Sapcotta, Convenor In-Charge who highlighted the importance of interdisciplinary dialogue in tackling global challenges like climate change. Mr. Pranit R. Shesrai, an Executive Board Member of SRF and event organizer, gave an overview of the forum's mission to nurture research among students. Dr. Madan Chettri, Coordinator, FHSS&LA, elaborated on the theme of the symposium, emphasizing sustainable development's contemporary relevance.

The keynote address was delivered by Mrs. Usha Lachungpa, who discussed climate change, sustainable solutions, and the role of humans in exploiting nature. She stressed the importance of individual responsibility in safeguarding the environment, focusing on the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG 12 (responsible consumption and production) and SDG 13 (climate action). She also raised concerns about the effects of rapid urbanization and rising temperatures in Sikkim, emphasizing the need for sustainable practices like reducing carbon footprints, regulating tourism in eco-fragile areas, and minimizing food wastage.

The inaugural session concluded with a heartfelt Vote of Thanks by Ms. Tenzing Doma Bhutia, Assistant Professor and SRF Faculty Representative FHSS&LA. She expressed gratitude to the keynote speaker, faculty, students, and organizers for their efforts in making the symposium a success, and extended a warm thank you to all participants for their active involvement. This marked the conclusion of a fruitful opening session

The plenary sessions followed, with the first titled “Climate Change: Challenges and Solutions,” chaired by Dr. Bonita Pradhan. Six papers were presented, covering diverse topics such as climate-induced migration, the psychological impact of environmental displacement, risk perception biases, the effects of climate change on indigenous communities, and strategies to reduce carbon emissions through vehicle electrification. The session highlighted the importance of mental health and international cooperation in addressing climate change.

The second plenary session, “Sustainability: Pathway to a Greener Future,” chaired by Dr. Suditya Sapcotta, featured presentations on Green GDP, corporate behaviour toward sustainability, ecotourism’s role in empowering indigenous communities, anti-dam movements, and sustainable city planning. These presentations underscored the need for interdisciplinary research and practical solutions to foster a sustainable future.

The event concluded with a Certificate and Prize Distribution Ceremony, where top posters were awarded, and Pranit R. Shesrai was recognized as Best Paper Presenter for his paper on the mental health impact of climate-induced migration. The symposium closed with a Vote of Thanks from Ms. Deepa Sharma, Assistant Professor, celebrating the event’s success and reinforcing the commitment to climate action and sustainability.