Dehradun Hosts 6th World Congress on Disaster Management, Emphasizing Climate Action and Resilience
Dehradun served as the venue for the 6th World Congress on Disaster Management (WCDM), a collaborative endeavor spearheaded by the Government of Uttarakhand, the Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority (USDMA), the Uttarakhand State Council for Science and Technology (UCOST), and the Disaster Management Initiatives and Convergence Society (DMICS), Hyderabad. The event was made possible through the collaboration of numerous academic and research institutions, alongside national and international bodies. Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami, Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, served as the Chief Patron, with Dr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu, Chief Secretary of the Government of Uttarakhand, chairing the Steering Committee.
Under the overarching theme of “Strengthening Climate Action & Disaster Resilience,” the congress placed a special emphasis on “Mountain Ecosystems & Communities.” Discussions centered on addressing the escalating challenges posed by climate change and fortifying disaster preparedness strategies, particularly in vulnerable regions such as mountain ecosystems.
Key areas of deliberation included:
- Improving disaster risk management and community-based disaster risk reduction (DRR).
- Developing and implementing local adaptation initiatives tailored to specific regional needs.
- Strategic investment in research and development to foster effective and innovative disaster management approaches.
- Strengthening social safety nets to protect vulnerable populations and fostering enhanced international cooperation.
- Driving innovation, collaboration, and communication to advance climate-adaptive technologies and practices.
A notable participant at the congress was Marvin Fernandes from Mangalore, Karnataka, representing Coriander Cave (Plant-Based Lifestyle and Research Centre). Mr. Fernandes delivered an oral paper presentation, which was subsequently selected for publication in a leading international publication and shortlisted for the Young Researcher’s Award. His presentation, titled “The Stain Effect,” fell under the theme “TO LOVE IS SO SIMPLE, YET WE HATE.” Key highlights of his presentation included an examination of how human sensory perception is affected by consumption patterns and the subsequent impact on the global environment. He further explored methods to identify and restore the connection with the environment.
Mr. Fernandes’ team is currently engaged in research concerning imagination, genetic memory, and the amygdala, with the aim of expanding “The Elasticity of Imagination.” The team believes this discovery may prove beneficial in combating global disasters.
Coriander Cave is open to collaboration on this research in order to contribute to global peace.
