National Association of Geographers, India (NAGI)

31st INDIAN GEOGRAPHY CONGRESS

JABALPUR – 2009

November 19-21, 2009

Circular No. 1

Hosted by

Department of Geography,

Rani Durgawati University, Jabalpur, M.P.

Patron

Dr. S.M. Paul Khurana

Hon. Vice Chancellor

Chairman

Prof. Kamlesh Mishra

09425385869

Convener

Dr. Lokesh Shrivastava

Head, Department of Geography,

Rani Durgawati University, Jabalpur, 482001, (M.P.)

Tel. : 0761-2600567, 2600568 Ext. 2060, (M) 09425388973.

Email : /

www.rdunijbpin.org

CONGRESS THEME

ENVIRONMENT, CULTURE AND DEVELOPMENT

India is a country with amazing geographical diversity together with plurality in language, religion, culture and ethnicity. It is a country of second largest human resources of the world with a population of more than 1027 million people supporting nearly 16.8 per cent of world’s population. From the mountains of the Himalaya in Kashmir to the sea coasts of Kanyakumari and from the Thar deserts of Rajasthan to humid forests of the north-east, India displays her wealth of diversity in cultures, religions, fairs and festivals. Indeed, India is a unity in diversity. India contains a great wealth of biodiversity in its forests, wetlands and marine areas. The country has 7 per cent of the mammals, 12.6 per cent birds, 6.2 per cent reptiles, 4.4 per cent amphibians, 11.7 per cent fishes and 6 per cent flowering plants of the world. Among plants, endemism is estimated as 33 per cent. India contains 172 species (2.9 per cent of world’s total) of animals considered globally threatened
species. The Western Ghats and eastern Himalaya are recognized as biodiversity hotspots in the world.

A grand synthesis of cultures, religions and languages of the people belonging to different castes and communities has upheld its unity and cohesiveness. It is this synthesis which made India a unique mosaic of cultures. People belonging to several faiths-Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, Islam, Sikhism and Christianity have coexisted for centuries in a shared space. Diversity in India is not merely confined to racial, religious and linguistic distinctions but also permeates deep into patterns of living, life styles, land tenure systems, occupational pursuits, inheritance and succession law, together with local practices, rites and rituals related to social norms and values. The Indian cultural tradition is unique. Twenty three Indian languages are listed in our constitution and more than 544 dialects are spoken in the country. The institutional basis of social order and socio-economic interaction among communities like Jajmani system remained unchanged to a large extent. There are more than 285 ethnic tribal communities in India accounting for over 8 per cent of her population. The tribes themselves are not a homogenous group, but display remarkable heterogeneity in their racial, linguistic, religious composition as also in their modes of living and levels of development as well as in the level of socio-cultural integration. In spite of this great diversity, India continues to swear by its commitment to secularism and practices democratic form of governance. The federal principle of governance has provided a sense of identity to most people.

The focal theme aims at achieving the goals of the UN International Year of Planet Earth (IYPE). IYPE is an ambitious programme designed to foster outreach and research activities with the single purpose of raising worldwide public and political awareness of the vast (but often under-used) potential of Earth sciences for improving the quality of life and safeguarding the planet. It is running and aims to contribute to making this planet a better, safer, healthier and wealthier place for our children and grandchildren. This ambition was endorsed by the United Nations when it proclaimed the IYPE for 2008, the pivotal year of the 2007-2009 triennium.

Therefore, the 31st Indian Geography Congress (November 19-21, 2009) focal theme-Environment, Culture and Development at the Rani Durgawati University, Jabalpur, M.P. is being organized with the objective of bringing together geographers, geoscientists
environmentalists, policy makers and community leaders to put their head together to come out with appropriate suggestions and policy recommendations.

Meeting of IGU Commissions / Plenary Sessions

1. United Nations : International Year of Planet Earth

2. IGU Initiative-Cultures and Civilizations for Human Development

3. IGU Commission on Biogeography and Biodiversity

PANEL DISCUSSION THEMES

Inclusive Development

Memorial lectures

1. Prof. A.N. Bhattacharya Memorial Lecture by Prof. H.S. Sharma

2. Prof. C.P. Singh Memorial Lecture by Prof.Sudipto Adhikari

TECHNICAL SESSIONS

The technical sessions of the Congress will be organised on the following themes :

1. Indian Geography : The Emerging Vistas

2. Geography as a Professional Discipline (Planning, Health Care, Cartography

and GIS).

3. Use of Remote Sensing and GIS in Geographical Studies.

4. Physical Geography and Climate change.

5. Environment Change and Biodiversity

6. Dynamics of Spatial Economy.

7. People, Resources and Development.

8. Urban Society, Economy and Geography.

9. India in the New Global Context.

10. From Rural to Urban India.

11. Geopolitics and Conflict Resolution.

12. Social and Cultural Dimensions in Geography.

13. Geographical Education.

CALL FOR PAPERS

On each sub-theme of the congress, papers will be invited. One invited paper will be
presented as keynote address. The keynote address will be followed by papers contributed by the participants.

Members are requested to fill up the enclosed registration form and send the same along with the abstract and the registration fee by October 10, 2009. Full papers must reach the Convener by November 1, 2009. Abstract without Registration Form / Registration Fee (part or full) and full paper will not be printed in the Abstract Book. Abstract of the papers of only those delegates will accepted who have deposited atleast half of the registration fee on before the due date.

Manuscript of the paper should be typed on quarto-size and double spaced.
Bibliographic reference should be printed at the end of the paper. Geographers are requested to submit only one abstract of paper to the congress.

REGISTRATION FEE

Registration fee for the participants of the IGC is Rs. 800.00, out of which Rs. 600.00 will be retained by the Convener and the remaining Rs. 200.00 will go to NAGI Secretariat. Participants are requested to send Rs. 200.00 as NAGI share to NAGI Secretariat, Delhi. The draft should be drawn in favour of The National Association of Geographers, India (NAGI).

Registration will be upto the opening day of India Geography Congress. For foreign delegates, excluding SAARC, it is $125.00. Research Scholars and Students would pay Rs. 450/- as registration fee to convener and Rs. 150.00 to NAGI Secretariat, provided that their registration form is accompanied by documentary proof of the Head of the Department where the scholar is working or by his/her Supervisor. Intended participants are required to become Life or Annual member of the NAGI. If you are not a life member, annual membership of Rs. 300.00 should be sent to NAGI Secretariat together with membership form.

Registration fee will cover the cost of technical documents, boarding and
accommodation in student hostels/institutional Guest House etc. Family members
accompanying the Life and Annual members will pay Rs. 500.00 each for boarding and lodging. No documents will be provided to them. Sr. Geographers (Over 65 years of age) will get registration facilities after paying Rs. 100.00. Registration fee of Rs. 600.00 should be sent by M/O or bank draft to the Convener, 31st Indian Geography Congress.

The Venue of the 31st IGC, NAGI

The 31st Indian Geography Congress will be held at Jabalpur, MP on November 19-21, 2009. The Congress is being organized by the Department of Geography, Rani Durgawati University, Jabalpur, M.P.

Jabalpur is located in Madhya Pradesh which is the second largest Indian state in size with an area of 308,000 sq. kms. Madhya Pradesh, because of its central location in India, has remained a crucible of historical currents from North, South, East and West. Paleolithic, Mesolithic, Neolithic, Chalcolithic and Iron Age Cultures have flourished in the state along Narmada Valley and other river valleys. Rich archaeological wealth has been unearthed in various parts of the state throwing light on its history. Evidences of earliest human settlements have been found in Bhimbethika and other places of Raisen district. Over 600 rock shelters have been discovered in Bhimbethika. About 500 caves have rock paintings, which depict the life of pre-historic cavedwellers. Sanchi in Raisen district is a world renowned Buddhist centre known for its stupes, monuments, temples and pillars dating from 3rd Century B.C. to 12th Century A.D. The most famous Sanchi Stupa was built by the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka, then governor of Ujjain. Bhojpur, in the same district is famous for its incomplete but marvelous Shiva temple, built by legendary Parmar King of Dhar, Raja Bhoj (1010-53). Khajuraho in Chhatarpur district is renowned the world over for its unique temples. Built by Chandela rulers from 950-1050 A.D., in a truly inspired burst of creativity these temples are a unique gift to the world. Orchha in Tikamgarh district is a medieval legacy in stone built by Bundela rulers in the 16th and 17th centuries. While Ujjain and Omkareshwar have special significance due to Shrines having two of the twelve Jyotirlingas, Maheshwar, Mandleshwar, Amarkantak, Hoshangabad are also important in their own rights. Madhya Pradesh has produced great men and women who are held in high esteem due to their great deeds. India’s immortal poet-dramatist Kalidas belonged to Ujjain and great musician Tansen to Gwalior. Bravery of great women like Durgawati, Anantibai, Kamlapati and Devi Ahilya Bai is inscribed in golden letters in history.

Rani Durgawati University, Jabalpur

Rani Durgawati University, formerly University of Jabalpur, enjoys the
‘Accredited’ status and has been graded as ‘B++’ by the National Assessment and
Accreditation Council (NAAC). The university was renamed as Rani Durgawati Vishwavidyalaya on June7, 1983 to honour the well known tribal Gond Queen of Garha Mandla. The University was constituted and established on 12th June, 1956. Its present campus is spared over 99.63 acres of scenic beauty and environment friendly surroundings. The University has Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Bio-Science, System Science and Physical Education departments. It also has a Central Library, Computer Center, USIC, University Institute of Management, University Law Department and also other facilities like boys and girls hostels. It is, therefore, possible to say that the university campus is a city within the City of Jabalpur. The Academic Staff College of the University is one of the best in the country. There are, at present more than 153 affiliated Government and private Colleges, besides 26 University Teaching Departments providing education to about 85,000 students in affiliated Colleges and about 1800 in University Departments. The affiliated Colleges offer 8 Diploma, 18 Undergraduate and 38 Post-graduate Programmes. The
University is thus playing a key role in higher education in Central India.

Department of Geography

Department of Geography is a newly opened department of the Rani Durgawati
University, Jabalpur. This department is successfully conducting M.A. / M.Sc. in
Geography course of 4 semesters, Ph.D and innovative research work in Geography. The main area of trust is Human Geography, Urban Geography, Tribal Geography and Environmental Geography. About 12 books and 40 research papers have been published by faculty and scholars of this department. This department is emerging as Geographical School of Thought with full dedication and commitment for providing value based education in Geography.

PROF. N.P. AIYYAR YOUNG GEOGRAPHERS AWARD SCHEME

This award has been instituted by NAGI and is restricted to members who are qualified Geogaphers within the age limit of 35 years at the time of submission of paper. The paper should be an original research contribution and submitted in 3 copies to the Secretary General, NAGI, so as to reach the Secretariat by October 15, 2009 by registered post/courier. The paper should be written in English, Hindi language only. The participant should also submit his/her detailed resume (3 copies).

An Expert Committee will be appointed by NAGI to evaluate the paper
contributed and to shorlist five best papers among them. The five best papers will be presented in a special session at IGC and one among them would be finally selected for the young Geographers Award. The awardee will be honoured with a cash award of Rs. 1000.00 and a cetificate of merit.

NAGI BUSINESS MEETINGS

NAGI Executive Committee Meeting : 19th November 2009 at 5.30 P.M.

NAGI General Body Meeting : 20th November 2009 at 5.30 P.M.

NAGI Executive Committee Meeting : 21st November 2009 at 5.30 P.M.

All respective members are requested to attend the same at Department of Geography,
Rani Durgavati University, Jabalpur.

31st INDIAN GEOGRAPHY CONGRESS

JABALPUR - 2009

REGISTRATION FORM

NAGI Membership No. Type of Membership :

1. Name ......

(Block Letters)

Position held ......

Affiliation (Organisation) ......

2. Profession ......

3. Address ......

......

......

4. I wish to participate with or without papers as Life Member / Participating
Member / Associate Member......

5. Title of the paper......

6. Registration fee amounting Rs...... is sent by M/O ......

Crossed Demand Draft No...... Dated ......

On ...... (Name of Bank) ......

Place : ......

Date : ......

Signature

1. Payment by Demand Draft of Rs. 600.00 (Rs. 450.00 for students and Rs. 100.00 for Sr. Geographers) should be payable at any Bank at Jabalpur in favour of
“Convener, 31st Indian Geography Congress” and sent to :

Dr. Lokesh Shrivastava, Convener, 31st Indian Geography Congress

Head, Department of Geography

Rani Durgavati University, Jabalpur - 482001(M.P.)

2. Payment by Demand Draft of Rs. 200/- (Rs. 150 for students) should be made on any bank at New Delhi in favour of “National Association of Geographers, INDIA (NAGI)” and sent to Dr. R.B. Singh, Secretary General - NAGI

Department of Geography, Delhi School of Economics, University of Delhi,
Delhi - 110007

Photo - Copies of Registration forms are acceptable.

national association of geographers, India

membership form

The Membership of the Association is open to geographers and specialists from allied disciplines. The membership fee is given below.

LIFE ANNUAL ASSOCIATE

MEMBERSHIP MEMBERSHIP MEMBERSHIP

Individual Individual