GDC Kargil organises Science and Innovation consultation to advance sustainable devp

KARGIL: Government Degree College (GDC), Kargil, on Thursday brought together scientists, policymakers, academicians, government officials and community representatives for a stakeholder consultation aimed at identifying science- and technology-based solutions to accelerate sustainable development in the district.

The one-day programme, titled “Science, Technology and Innovation Need Identification for Sustainable Development of Kargil,” was jointly organised by CSIR–National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research (CSIR-NIScPR), Unnat Bharat Abhiyan (IIT Delhi), IIT Jammu, and Government Degree College, Kargil.

The consultation focused on identifying technological interventions to address challenges arising from Kargil’s geographical remoteness, harsh climatic conditions and limited access to modern technologies, while exploring opportunities to strengthen agriculture, food processing, rural livelihoods and skill development.

Discussions centred on priority sectors including climate-resilient agriculture, food processing, Heeng (asafoetida) cultivation, entrepreneurship, capacity building and sustainable livelihood generation, with participants examining ways to align scientific research with the district’s development requirements.

The programme brought together a broad spectrum of stakeholders, including scientists, researchers, academicians, entrepreneurs, farmers, Self-Help Group (SHG) members, students and representatives of community organisations. National experts from CSIR-NIScPR, IIT Delhi, IIT Jammu, CSIR-CFTRI and ICAR Almora joined the deliberations virtually to share technical expertise and discuss potential collaborations.

Principal of GDC Kargil Disket Angmo welcomed the participants, while Dr M.H. Shabani, Principal of GDC Drass, and representatives of Basij-e-Zara’at highlighted the importance of academic and community partnerships in promoting sustainable regional development.

Technical sessions featured presentations by Dr Nasreen Fatima Kacho, Senior Scientist and Head, Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Kargil, on agricultural development; Dr Praveen Raj, Scientist-F, CSIR-NIIST, on technological interventions in agriculture; Dr Tsewang Dorjey, Assistant General Manager, NABARD, and Dr Sameer Kumar Sarma Pachalla of IIT Jammu, who discussed rural outreach and skill development initiatives.

The consultation concluded with a commitment to strengthen collaboration between national research institutions and local stakeholders to facilitate the deployment of climate-resilient technologies from CSIR laboratories to the field. Organisers said the initiative aims to improve agricultural productivity, support rural livelihoods and promote sustainable socio-economic development across Ladakh.