Lucknow: Monitoring systems and engineering solutions are essential for protecting infrastructure and communities in fragile Himalayan regions, according to the director of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Patna, Prof TN Singh.Speaking in the two-day national conference, “GEOCON–2026: Geoscience and Climate Change for a Sustainable Environment’, at Lucknow University, Prof Singh discussed the topic ‘Dynamic Rockfall Analysis in the Himalayan Region’, highlighting scientific approaches to assess and mitigate landslide and rockfall hazards in mountainous terrains.“Improved monitoring systems and engineering solutions are essential for protecting infrastructure and communities in fragile Himalayan regions,” he said.Director of the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO), Goa, Prof Sunil Kumar Singh explained that the oceans hold immense potential not only in terms of minerals but also renewable energy from waves, tides, currents, wind and solar sources.Director of the Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research, Hyderabad, Dheeraj Pandey said, “Critical minerals such as lithium, cobalt and rare earth elements are vital for the transition to clean energy technologies. Strengthening exploration and domestic resource development will be key to India’s future energy independence.”
