Importance of bridging gap between demands, availability of energy stressed

International Workshop on Energy Challenges in J&K State begins 
Governor, Mr. N. N. Vohra, has emphasized the need for optimally harnessing the energy resources to meet the present and future requirements of the growing economy of the State, with a focus on producing clean energy to protect the environment and ecology.
The Governor was addressing the Inaugural Session of the three-day International Workshop on Energy Challenges in J&K State at University of Kashmir, here today.
The workshop has been jointly organized by the University of Kashmir, University of Jammu and University College, London with an objective to discuss the challenges in the exploitation and development of energy in the State including the hydro power. A number of experts from within and outside the country are participating in this workshop.
The Governor said that there is an acute gap between availability and requirement of energy and all out efforts are required to be made to bridge this gap to sustain economic development and generation of employment avenues in the State. He said that with the development effort reaching even the remotest corners of the State the demand for energy has grown manifold, adding that this calls for devising appropriate strategies to meeting the demands on all fronts.
The Governor also referred to the need for tapping non-conventional resources of energy like wind, solar, bio and geo-thermal besides hydro power to increase the availability of energy and, at the same time, ensuring the protection of the eco-system. He said that efforts have to be intensified for reducing the emission of hazardous gases to check environment pollution.
The Governor hoped that the workshop will look into all related aspects, especially those peculiar to J&K, as it has enormous resources for producing clean energy. He said that the various issues needed to be discussed professionally in a clinical, objective and scientific manner. He said that there is no alternative to generating clean energy in an efficient and cost-effective manner so that J&K does not have to import power from outside the State, as this places an enormous financial burden on the State’s financial resources.
 The Governor complimented the organizers of the conference for undertaking a collaborative effort and hoped that it will evolve viable recommendations for consideration by the State Government.
The Governor also released a publication, “Performance Review of Jammu and Kashmir Economy 2008-09”, on the occasion, brought out by the Directorate of Economics and Statistics.
The Vice Chancellor, University of Kashmir, Prof. Riyaz Punjabi threw light on the aims and objectives of organizing the workshop. He said that the workshop is an appropriate forum to threadbare discuss various aspects pertaining to energy.
The Organizing Secretary of the workshop, Dr. Shakil Ahmad Romshoo, presented the welcome address.
Prominent among those present at the inaugural session were Vice President, ENI, Italy, Dr. Jonathan Craig, Vice Chancellor, University of Jammu, Prof. Varun Sahni, Prof. Bindra Thusu, Deans, Heads of Departments, Faculty Members and students of the University and participants of the workshop.