📅 Date: 24th May 2025
🕘 Time: 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
🎯 Theme: Role of Technology for Climate and Disaster Risk Resilience
🎓 Organised by: UCOST (Govt. of Uttarakhand) & HAST
🔷 Context & Objective
As a lead-up to the World Summit on Disaster Management to be held in Dehradun (28–30 Nov 2025), the 3rd Pre-Summit in Bengaluru focused on how cutting-edge technologies can build climate-resilient and disaster-prepared communities, particularly in the fragile Himalayan region.
🔶 Inaugural Highlights
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Opening address emphasized the spiritual, ecological, and geopolitical importance of the Himalayas by our honourable Goveronor Thawar Chand Gehlot
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Referenced real-world disasters (e.g., Kedarnath floods, Joshimath sinking) as urgent calls for better planning.
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Reinforced the importance of “Strengthening International Cooperation for Resilient Communities.”
🔷 Technical Sessions Summary
🔹 Session 1: Technology as a Core Enabler
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GIS and satellite-based monitoring must be expanded to village-level disaster mapping.
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Prof. Vinod Menon emphasized local innovation and integrating community wisdom.
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Proposal to create a pan-India open disaster database with local access in multiple languages.
🔹 Session 2: Observation Systems
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Demonstrated how remote sensing, drones, and mobile apps aid early warning systems.
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Highlighted ISRO’s and SEEDS India’s work in integrating space-based monitoring.
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Emphasis on precision risk detection and democratized data flow to last-mile users.
🔹 Session 3: Disruptive Technologies
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Panel covered AI, blockchain for relief logistics, and IoT in agriculture resilience.
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Cited rural case studies where predictive analytics helped reduce losses in floods.
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UNESCO’s participation reinforced youth-led climate tech innovations.
🔹 Session 4: Implementation Challenges
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Policy gaps and lack of ground-level adoption still hinder resilience goals.
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Suggestions included decentralizing disaster management to Panchayat level.
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Advocated for community-owned tools, storytelling, multilingual platforms, and SHG-driven action.
🔶 Special Presentation
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Dr. Suhajyoti Pathi presented on EWM Darchula Glacier retreat, with alarming signs of Himalayan water crisis.
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Called for immediate cross-border collaboration on glacier research and conservation.
🌿 Takeaways & Recommendations
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Need for convergence: Technology, community leadership, and policy must converge.
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Himalayas as climate barometers: Their preservation is linked to over a billion lives.
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Action beyond discussion: Tools, frameworks, and protocols must be field-tested and funded.
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Youth, farmers, scientists, and innovators must co-create scalable solutions rooted in culture and science
