Faculty Of Anthropology, Punjab University, Chandigarh

Campus Location: Chandigarh

Located in CHANDIGARH- February 16, 2010: The Department of Anthropology, Panjab University, hosted, a National Seminar ‘Global Warming, Human Factors and Environment: Perspectives from, Anthropology’. The Guest of Honour at the Seminar was Padamshree Sunder Lal Ji Bahuguna-, the Great Octogenarian, Social Activist and Crusader for protecting the environment and, the founder of the Famous Chipko Movement. He has spent his life working to educate, Indian villagers, protesting against ecological destruction by the government and, protecting the Himalayan Mountains. The Seminar was presided over this morning by the, Prof. B.S. Brar, the Honorary Director ICSSR (NW Region) and Dean Research. The Key-note, Speaker was Dr. Binod C Agrawal, Director General TALEEM Research Foundation and, Vice-Chancellor of Himgiri Nabh Vishwavidalaya, who is a well known and highly respected, Scholar in Anthropology and Social Sciences. Dr. C.S. Sharma, Scientist National, Physical laboratory delivered inaugural address. More than sixty delegates drawn from, various universities and institutes spread over North West, North and North East India, are attending this seminar. This department is celebrating its golden jubilee this year, and this seminar is a part of one of its celebrations., Sh Sunder Lal Bahuguna emphasized the importance of earth and forests and scientific, knowledge should not be used for the destruction of humankind. Before applying science,, we should think from heart so that humans banish the path of destruction., Prof B.S Brar in his presidential remarks advised to follow the rationalist approach, rather than nationalistic in matters concerning humanity and problems faced by them., Professor K.D. Sharma the Convener of the Seminar and Chairman of the department while, welcoming the delegates traced the important contributions that the Department of, Anthropology at Panjab University Chandigarh has made in the last 50 years of its, existence. Prof Sharma further emphasized that the field Environmental Anthropology, offers the opportunity to acquire advanced knowledge of how different societies are, influenced by the environment and manage natural resources and hazards, in relation to, issues in human ecology, biodiversity management, sustainable development, environmental, change. Keeping in view the new developments and current issues affecting humans, the, department has undertaken many new initiatives in the recent years. The department’s, unique and nationally acclaimed ‘Museum of Man’, is under renovation, six new life-size, models are being added and it is thematically being developed under four major themes., Professor Shalina Mehta, the Organising Secretary of the Seminar highlighted on the, theme of the seminar. She emphasized that anthropogenic factors were responsible for, both destruction and rejuvenation of ecological balance. Anthropology with its holistic, perspective and multidimensional approach, explores relationship between culture,, biology, environment and human factors that disturb ecological balance., Prof Binod C. Agrawal in his key-note address remarked that anthropologists must extend, their micro-in-depth understanding of human adaptive abilities and cultural skills for, fighting climate change and global warming. Dr. Chemendra Sharma in his inaugural, address pointed out that anthropogenic activities like agriculture, fossil fuel, combustions, urbanization etc were responsible for global warming., The first day of the two day seminar witnessed the presentation of 17 papers in four, academic sessions. These sessions were chaired and co-chaired by eminent anthropologists, and social scientists like Prof B.S Brar, Prof V. Bhalla, Prof. S.P. Singh, Dr. S., Sharma and Prof A.K. Bhalla. Prof A.K. Sinha proposed the vote of thanks. In total, more, than 60 delegates from various parts of India are participating in this National Seminar, according to Prof. K.D. Sharma, Chairperson, Department of Anthropology, P.U., Department of Anthropology,, Panjab University,, Chandigarh-160014, Contact Phone No.: (0172) 2541 998. Use Google Maps for turn-by-turn driving directions to the campus.