Science, technology, and innovation policy for reducing disaster risk in India

As India moves forward on sustainable development pathways, economic development, social inclusion, and environmental sustainability are key to achieving its global commitments. The effects of climate change are evident in the increase of disasters globally and India’s wide geographical, environmental, and social variations make it highly prone to multiple disasters. Science, technology, and innovation and the advances they bring are key to strengthening socio-ecologic- economic growth and political development.

The National Institute of Disaster Management, which is part of the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs, and the Indian government’s Department of Science and Technology are organizing a special round table discussion on ‘Science Technology and Innovation Policy for Disaster Risk Reduction’. Srivastava will join scientists, technologists, researchers, practitioners, and other cross-sector actors to discuss the opportunities and implementation of the Science Technology and Innovation Policy adopted by India in 2020.

The policy highlights water, agriculture, climate change, and energy as priority sectors and suggests the development and promotion of better resource management to be taken up in these sectors. It aims to reorient science, technology, and innovation in terms of priorities, sectoral focus, and strategies. And bring about profound changes through the short-, medium- and long-terms. Furthermore, it seeks to catalyse the application of science to create a secure, clean, inclusive and equitable energy system, reduce energy poverty, increase resilience against supply disruptions and climate risks, and enable the transition to a cost-effective carbon future.

Participants

Moderator: Anil K Gupta, Professor & Head, ECDRM, NIDM, MHA, GoI

Opening Remarks by Chair:

• Shri. Krishna S Vatsa, Member, NDMA, MHA, GoI 
• Sudhir Jain, Vice Chancellor, Banaras Hindu University. 

High Level Panel Discussion:

1. Leena Srivastava, Deputy Director General for Science, IIASA, Austria 
2. Shailesh Naik, Director, NIAS, Bengaluru 
3. Ashutosh Sharma, Former Secretary DST, GoI. 
4. Shri K Sanjay Murthy, Chairman, University Grants Commission 
5. Prof. Yogesh Singh, Vice Chancellor, Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University 
6. Prof. Yogesh Singh, Vice Chancellor, University of Delhi
7. Prof. Anil Kumar Gupta, Professor Emeritus, Founder, IIMA 

Last edited: 22 December 2021