Faculty Of Anthropology, Punjab University, Chandigarh

About Faculty Of Anthropology, Punjab University, Chandigarh

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