The CSIR-National Institute of Science Communication and Policy research (CSIR-NIScPR), New Delhi, organised the World Environment Day celebrations on 6 June 2022 with a lecture on “Impact of Environmental Imbalance on Weather” by Dr Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, Director General, India Meteorological Department, Government of India.

In her Welcome Address, Prof. Ranjana Aggarwal, Director, CSIR-NIScPR, highlighted the complexities of the web of life and how over-exploitation by humans has destroyed this unique web. Further, she said that Homo sapiens have a false perception that they are superior species and rulers of this planet. India has a long heritage of conserving environment and our Vedic literature has also references to environmental conservation, ecological balance and the weather cycle, she added. Our ancestors have provided us with valuable knowledge to lead a sustainable life without harming our planet which goes well with the theme of this year's World Environment Day,  “Only One Earth", focusing on “Living Sustainably in Harmony with Nature”, she emphasised. 

Dr Mrutyunjay Mohapatra who is also known as the ‘Cyclone Man of India’  was the Chief Guest of the programme. During his lecture, Dr Mohapatra highlighted various aspects of the changing weather patterns in the country and also mentioned that globally, temperatures have risen by about 1.2 degrees Celsius compared to 100 years ago. Over India, the rise has been about 0.6 degrees Celsius. This temperature rise has been in northern, central, and eastern parts, and less over peninsular India, he informed. The temperature rise has an impact on extreme weather events, he added.

He further said that the change in the weather patterns will have serious repercussions and will cause a shift in the vegetation patterns leading to a change in the cultivation pattern of our significant crops like coffee, banana, etc. He mentioned that already the mangrove forest in the Sunderban region is diminishing. The changing weather patterns will also lead to the prevalence of infectious diseases like dengue, said Dr Mohapatra.

In view of the World Environment Day 2022, CSIR-NIScPR brought out special issues of Science Reporter and Vigyan Pragati which are focused on challenges being faced by the environment. Both the popular science magazines were released during the programme by Dr Mrutyunjay Mohapatra. 

Reiterating the need to preserve the planet, Dr Manish Mohan Gore, Scientist, CSIR-NIScPR, proposed the vote of thanks. The lecture was attended by staff members of CSIR-NIScPR, students and research scholars from different colleges and was also live via Facebook.