SRINAGAR: Union Minister for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences Jitendra Singh on Tuesday backed efforts to develop a Sustainable Mountain Development Policy for Jammu and Kashmir, saying scientific research must translate into practical solutions to address the region’s environmental and developmental challenges.
Speaking on the second day of the 13th Sustainable Mountain Development Summit (SMDS) 2026 and the J&K Agriculture Science Congress at Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K), Shalimar, Singh highlighted government initiatives to monitor climate change, glacier dynamics and glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs).
He welcomed SKUAST-K’s collaboration with the Integrated Mountain Initiative (IMI) and other institutions in preparing a draft policy for Jammu and Kashmir. He said stakeholder consultations could further strengthen the framework and indicated that the proposal could be considered by the Government of India.
SKUAST-K Vice-Chancellor Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganai highlighted the university’s contribution to research and innovation, stating that it had secured 146 patents and nurtured 115 startups. He said the summit aimed to identify practical approaches to protecting mountain ecosystems and the communities dependent on them.
Arushi Chopra, director at SYSTEMIQ, stressed the need to balance ecological conservation with economic development, particularly through sustainable infrastructure. S. K. Panigrahi, Director General of IISD India, highlighted the wider significance of Himalayan catchment systems, which he said support nearly 40 per cent of India’s population.
In his welcome address, Rajan Kotru of IMI called for closer integration of scientific knowledge, policy and practical implementation to ensure that the summit’s recommendations lead to action. Sushil Ramola, former president of IMI, also stressed the need to translate research into inclusive policies and strengthen links between scientific institutions and decision-makers.
Babila Rakhwal, Commissioner Secretary of the Jammu and Kashmir Department of Science and Technology, reaffirmed the department’s support for science- and technology-based initiatives for sustainable mountain development.
The three-day summit is jointly organised by SKUAST-K, IMI and the J&K Science, Technology and Innovation Council. Discussions are focusing on the draft mountain development policy, climate resilience, sustainable agriculture and mountain governance.
The proceedings concluded with a vote of thanks by Prof. A. H. Mughal, Dean of the Faculty of Forestry at SKUAST-K.