CHANDIGARH- March 10, 2010: The need to link the population issues with goals of poverty eradication and food security is vital in a situation of changing climate and fast depleting resource base. In the context of northwest India this issue requires focus as the region has a strong base in agriculture, has suffered the negative environmental consequences of agricultural and industrial development in tandem with urban explosion. It is important that micro-level studies be conducted so as to identify and analyze the ecological health of the region through positive and negative indicators and corrective steps taken well in time. It must be admitted that such identification and analysis is a laborious and tedious process, beset with enormous difficulties connected with collection of data and relevant information. But neglect can lead to most serious consequences both in the short and the long run.

With this aim in mind a 2-day National Seminar on “Population Environment Linkages in North West India ” will be inaugurated by Padamshree Professor R.C. Sobti, Vice Chancellor, Panjab University , Chandigarh at 10.00 hrs at ICSSR Complex, Panjab University on 11 March 2010. Professor G.S. Gosal, Professor Emeritus, Center of Advanced Study (CAS) in Geography, Panjab University shall preside over the function and Professor Harjit Singh, CSRD, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi will deliver the keynote address.  A galaxy of eminent scholars will participate in the deliberations spread over 11 technical sessions with about 50 paper presentations.

The valedictory address on 12 March 2010 shall be delivered by Professor RC Chandna, formerly at the Department of Geography, Panjab University , Chandigarh .

 The seminar is being jointly convened by Professor Smita Bhutani and Dr. Gaurav Kalotra of the Center of Advanced Study (CAS) in Geography according to
Dr. Karanjot Kaur Brar, Reader and Deputy Coordinator CAS, Center of Advanced Study (CAS) in Geography, P.U.