Environmentalists reach upon Bhuj for summit on 'Desertification'

Bhuj, Dec 17 (UNI) Over 120 environmentalists, scientists and green activists, including 20 from overseas, are slated to participate in a three-day conference on increasing ''desertification'' and it's serious fallouts, here tomorrow.

While Chief Minister Narendra Modi will be addressing the conference on the opening day, Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar will be present at the valedictory function.

The programme, with the theme 'Natural Resources Conservation, Use and Sustainability in Drylands' is being held here as part of an observance of the UN International Year of 'Deserts and Desertification'.

The primary objective of the conference is to provide a platform for knowledge-sharing among experts and to learn from their experience, said the director-in charge, Gujarat Institute of Desert Ecology (GUIDE) Mr V Vijakumar.

GUIDE in collaboration with Kutch Nav Nirman Abhiyan, a network of Kutch-based voluntary organisations are the orgasiners of the event.

Dr Victor R Squires, Dryland Management consultant, Adelaide, Dr Zhang Kebin of Beijing Forestry University, Mr Uriel Safriel from the Marlyand University, USA, Mr David Ward, a faculty member in the University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, Dr Susan Schwinning from the Texan State University are among the foreign delegates who would be delivering talks on desertification, and ways to combat it.

Dr Y K Alagh, Dr Vandana Shiva, Kartikeya Sarabhai, Director, CEE, Mr B M Vyas, MD, Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation, and others will be presenting their perspectives on various environmental issues at the conference.

UNI MMG WD SHB RK1628