SAJEEV: A Living Framework

Rooted in Wisdom, Growing with Nature

National Conference on “India’s Roadmap for Sustainability: Soil, Water, Agriculture, and Indigenous Wisdom”

The Centre for Sustainability, Chanakya University, successfully hosted the national conference SAJEEV: A Living Framework, bringing together diverse voices from academia, policy, and practice to reimagine India’s sustainability pathways through the lens of Soil, Agriculture, Jal (Water), Ecology, Ethos, and Vitality.

The conference witnessed vibrant participation from four schools, one undergraduate college, and independent research scholars, with:

• 12 paper presentations
• 5 poster presentations
• 5 best commentary recognitions

Inaugural Insights

The conference was inaugurated with a thought-provoking address by Sri K. K. Narayana, who emphasized that while India has met its calorific goals, the nutritional gap remains wide. He advocated for:

• Strengthening green manure and organic practices
• Addressing the impacts of climate change on crop productivity
• Leveraging C4 crops and technology (e.g., drones) in precision farming
• Making farming financially viable through a shift to value addition and secondary agriculture

Prof. Kapil Gupta noted the vital role of irrigation infrastructure, especially dams and canal systems, in supporting agricultural sustainability.

The chief guest, Sri Prakash Belawadi, offered a powerful reflection on the ethical responsibilities of technological advancement. Drawing on examples from urban transport and ocean pollution, he called for:

• Prioritizing public transport systems and pedestrian infrastructure
• Redefining consumption and ending the culture of waste
• Recognizing that no species other than humans create waste, and it’s time we stop
• Treating the Earth as sacred, not expendable
• Citing the fragility of species like sea turtles, he reminded the audience of the deep interconnection between environmental and moral stewardship

Technical Sessions Overview

Session 1: Urban Water Management

Speaker: Prof. Kapil Gupta, IIT Bombay

• Discussed hydrograph analysis and flood risk assessment models
• Highlighted urban design solutions like recreational utilities in flood zones, porous pavements, infiltration systems, and roof gardens
• Cited the case of Mumbai to showcase best practices in disaster risk management

Session 2: Sustainable Agriculture

Speaker: Dr. Chandramohan Reddy, ANGRAU

• Provided insights into the current status of sustainable agriculture in India
• Emphasized traditional knowledge, climate-resilient crops, and millets as future grains

Session 3: Soil Health and Degradation

Speaker: Dr. Pavithra P. Nayak, EMPRI

• Discussed how human activity alters soil properties
• Addressed the implications of pollination loss, agroclimatic zone changes, and desertification
• Highlighted top causes of soil degradation in India and actionable policy interventions

Session 4: Bioenergy and the Bioeconomy

Speaker: Dr. Harshad Velankar, altM

• Presented on biomass conversion technologies and India’s transition to a bioeconomy
• Compared 1G and 2G ethanol, bottlenecks in commercialization
• Emphasized the need for policy intervention, enzyme and fermentation R&D, biorefinery models, and advanced reactor design

Looking Ahead

The SAJEEV conference has laid a strong foundation for future collaborative research and community engagement at Chanakya University. By uniting the voices of scientists, scholars, farmers, and activists, the Centre for Sustainability is committed to advancing holistic solutions to India’s most pressing environmental and agricultural challenges.