Kashmir holds conference over alternate energy resources

Srinagar, May 22 (ANI): A three-day international conference to discuss alternate energy resources with delegates from University of Jammu and Kashmir, Maghreb Petroleum Research Group and University College of London concluded at Kashmir University in Srinagar.

Opening on May 20, the conference over, 'Energy Challenges in Jammu and Kashmir state: A case study for the Energy Research Institute' aims at exploring alternative and renewable resources of energy that can be harnessed in the state in order to reduce the power deficit.

"We are particularly interested in exploring the nature of different energy opportunities that are available within the state both in terms of potential gas exploration but also renewable energy resources, geothermal, hydropower, solar energy and biomass," said Jonathan Greg, delegate from London University.

The conference also aims at discussing whether it would be possible to establish an energy institute in the state to study the energy use in the state, the economic and climatic scenario and the investments required to harness alternate energy resources.

Reyaz Punjabi, Vice Chancellor Kashmir University has said that there is a need to look for alternate resources of power in the state, as the water resources cannot be harnessed due to limitations imposed by the Indus Water Treaty. "There is a lot of energy problem in Jammu and Kashmir. We have water resources but we cannot harness them fully because of the Indus water Treaty. Hence we organised this workshop and called experts to analyse what other resources of energy can be used," he added.

The Indus Water Treaty was signed between the then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and the President of Pakistan Field Marshal Mohammad Ayub Khan.

The Indus runs through both India and Pakistan and comprises of three western Rivers the Indus, the Jhelum and Chenab and three eastern Rivers, the Sutlej, the Beas and the Ravi.

The treaty curtails the rights of the State of Jammu and Kashmir on the upper Chenab, Jhelum, and Indus for purposes of non-consumptive hydroelectric storage and diversions within these basins. (ANI)