Kashmir to Guwahati: HCI University Workshops with Mahabahu Climate Forum Partnership

TONOY CHAKRABORTY

The Healthy Climate Initiative (HCI) conducted two ‘HCI Leadership Workshops on Climate Action and Innovation’, one at the Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST), Awantipura, and the other at Cotton University, Guwahati, during the week. Mahabahu Climate Forum was a partner for the two workshops at these two premier educational institutions in Kashmir and Assam.

Guwahati Workshop

Kashmir to Guwahati: HCI University Workshops with Mahabahu Climate Forum Partnership — Cotton University

At Guwahati, the workshop at MCB Auditorium, Cotton University, on 17^th October was conducted by HCI in collaboration with the Centre for Clouds and Climate Change Research, the Assam Climate Change Management Society, and the Mahabahu Climate Forum. The workshop attended by students and faculty of Cotton University, representatives of the Assam Climate Change Management Society, and the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS).

The proceedings began with an introduction by Dr. Akunthita Barthakur, from the department of History. Next, Dr. Rahul Mahanta delivered the opening keynote to formally open the workshop, focusing on the urgent need for climate resilience and the university initiatives for climate awareness and action.

MCF Convenor and Mahabahu Climate Editor Rituraj Phukan, who is also a Director of HCI, delivered a powerful presentation on the local and global perspectives of climate justice. He spoke about the need to take ownership and highlighted grassroots leadership opportunities for the participants. While speaking about the grassroots climate action initiatives of MCF, he also informed the participants about the climate section of Mahabahu and invited them to contribute to the growing repository of articles.

The keynote address by Dr. Soumitra Das, the US-based founder and president of HCI, delivered an informative and engaging audio-visual presentation of the climate crisis and its current solutions. He presented the latest scientific evidence and consequent cascading impacts across the globe.

After a tea break, Dr. Das took centerstage to focus on the inadequacy of current responses to address the crisis of warming and runaway climate change. He presented the alternative pathways being researched including reflection interventions and geoengineering technologies like Solar Radiation Management (SRMs).He called for the urgent need for more research in the sunlight reflection methods like Stratospheric Aerosol Injection (SAI), Marine Cloud Brightening (MCB) and albedo enhancement technologies.

Following his insights, a group discussion exercise brought out innovative ideas from the students, followed by a lively interaction. Students deliberated on the pathways to address climate change from the lens of global and regional priorities. Each of the nine groups presented contrasting understanding of the climate crisis and its solutions.

The final section on the agenda was a summary of the workshop by Dr. Rahul Mahanta, who articulated the key takeaways. Dr. Das then outlined his vision for continued engagement of the workshop participants in climate innovation and action.

The vote of thanks was delivered by Mr. Simanta Das, followed by a group photo session and interactions over lunch. MCF President Mr. Anjan Sarma interacted with the students and informed them of the various opportunities for internship and climate action leadership.

The Kashmir Initiative

Earlier on 15^th October, a HCILeadership Workshop on Climate Action and Innovation was organized at the Islamic University of Science and Technology at Awantipura, in the Pulawama district of the Himalayan state of Kashmir.

The workshop, in collaboration with The Nature University, was hosted by the Department of Geomatics, IUST. The Hon’ble Vice Chancellor Prof. Shakil A. Romshoo delivered a keynote highlighting the vulnerability of the Himalayan region to climate change and called for localized research and adaptive strategies.

Dr. Soumitra Das, Chairman and Executive Director, HCI, spoke about the threats of unmitigated warming and the evolution of innovative cooling technologies, including geo-engineering advances in SAI and MCB, while flagging the need to invest in more climate intervention research in the country. He also showed a video clip of the various activities of HCI around the country and the organization’s global outreach for climate action.

MAHABAHU CLIMATE FORUM

The Nature University founder and environmental lawyer Mr. Nadeem Qadri stressed the importance of environmental governance and community participation. He spoke about the pioneering collaborative work around Pampore and other parts of the region and the need for scaling and replicating the successful models of conservation and climate action.

MCF Convenor and HCI Director Rituraj Phukan presented a compelling case for climate justice for the country, highlighting the plight of Himalayan communities including indigenous people. He gave a compelling account of the global and local perspectives of climate justice and presented the book ‘Climate Justice 101: Empowering Community Leadership’ while speaking about the pioneering work of MCF in the Eastern Himalayan region.

Dr. Tariq Abdullah, Head, Department of Geomatics, emphasized the role of geospatial technologies in addressing climate challenges. The interactive session with questions by the students and faculty followed, with the debate centred on the effectiveness of current mitigation efforts and the need and feasibility of climate intervention research. The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr. Jasia Bashir.

These two workshops spanning the Himalayan region from the west to the east have been pioneering in their advocacy for more research about climate intervention by leading technology institutes and the scientific community in India. This comes at a time when the entire Himalayan region is reeling from the cascading impacts of climate change manifested in numerous disasters, and unprecedented loss of lives and properties.

The MCF is committed to the understanding of emerging climate science, collective climate action and research based technological responses in partnership with reputed universities, civil society organizations and government agencies.

18-10-2025

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