Tezpur University and Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) Pune today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aiming to assess the net ecosystem exchange of carbon dioxide in Kaziranga National Park.
The MoU was signed in presence of (virtually) Kiren Rijiju, Minister of Earth Sciences and Dr. M. Ravichandran, Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences.
The Institutes will broadly collaborate in research areas such as biosphere-atmosphere exchange of Green-house gases and energy. Observation of meteorological and bio-meteorological parameters such as rainfall, temperature, relative humidity, wind speed and direction, radiation, soil temperature, soil heat flux etc. using Eddy Covariance and other systems.
“Usually, forests absorb more carbon than they release, which makes them carbon sinks and they are globally promoted to counter the carbon dioxide emissions from different human activities. However, with global warming, the capacity of forest to absorb carbon may further decrease and that is a matter of scientific research, Dr. Nirmali Gogoi, faculty member, Department of Environmental Science and Coordinator of the project explained.
Shambhu Nath Singh, Vice-Chancellor, Tezpur University, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, “We are delighted to join hands with IITM Pune in this crucial research endeavour. Through this collaboration, we hope to contribute to the development of sustainable conservation strategies”.
Apart from the Minister and Secretary, during the MoU signing ceremony, Dr. R. Krishnan Director, IITM and Dr. Biren Das, Registrar, Tezpur University were also present.
