Prez seeks 'efficient' ideas from geo-scientists to develop

President Pranab Mukherjee today urged the geo-scientific community to undertake "objective research" in the area of disaster management to mitigate environmental hazards in the country and ensure greater resilience to such adversities.
He also urged the scientists to evolve a sustainable work plan for the proper use of "precious metals".
"India's mineral and mining sector faces an acid test for sustaining the growth potential of our economy. Our mineral endowment poses both a challenge and an opportunity for geo- scientists. The government is committed to promoting research and development in this area.
"Geo-scientists should evolve an efficient work plan for development, conservation and augmentation of these precious mineral resources. They should put forward innovative ideas to achieve sustainable development of our country and, at the same time, address societal concerns," he said while presenting the National Geo-science Awards, 2013, at Rashtrapati Bhavan here.

This is the first time that the President gave out these awards since they were instituted in 2009. Its earlier avatar, started in 1966, was called the National Mineral Awards. It is given in recognition of extraordinary work done in the field of fundamental and applied geo-sciences, mining and allied areas.
Mukherjee also underlined the threat posed by climate change and ecological degradation.
"The adverse impact of ecological degradation and climate change has emerged as a major concern the world over. No part of the globe is today immune from the menace of environmental disaster. Our nation, too, has bore the brunt of a series of natural calamities in recent times... The occurrence of many of these disasters is attributed to human interference with the natural balance.

"There is, therefore, a need for more objective research by the geo-scientific community in the field of disaster management to mitigate environmental hazards and ensure greater resilience to such adversities," he said.