Leh: The Governor of Ladakh, RK Mathur, discussed the prospect of the setting up of Mountain Research Institute (MRI) at the University of Ladakh (UoL) campus in Taru Thang, at Raj Niwas today. Principal Secretary, Dr Pawan Kotwal; Vice-Chancellor, Uol, Prof SK Mehta; Commissioner Secretary, Higher Education, Padma Angmo; Chief Conservator of Forest (CCF), Mufti Sajjad Hussain and Prof Riyaz MK Khan from UoL were present in the meeting.
LG Mathur inquired about the objective of setting up the Mountain Research Institute in Ladakh and also the value addition the research institute would bring.
Stating that there is a lack of proper data and studies on climate change and biodiversity conservation in Himalayan and trans-Himalayan regions, LG Mathur stressed on the need to find out the research work conducted by other research institutes in these areas and also the areas not focused by them.
He suggested that proper conceptualisation may be made by UoL with emphasis on providing inter-disciplinary studies and year-round study by the Mountain Research Institute. He also suggested that UoL’s MRI can introduce its own research programmes and extend the study areas to all Himalayan and trans-Himalayan regions. He further suggested assessing the employability of students.
Earlier, Prof Riyaz gave a detailed presentation on the draft proposal of the Mountain Research Institute, the rationale behind establishing the research centre, the vision, mission and specific objectives of the institute, SWOT (strength, weakness, opportunities and threat) analysis, approach and methodologies, the requirement of infrastructure and human resource.
