Himalayan Expert Prof. M.P.S. Bisht Appointed J&K HVRA Panel

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Srinagar Garhwal: In a significant recognition of expertise in Himalayan disaster studies, Prof. M.P.S. Bisht, a senior professor and leading authority on natural hazards from Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal Central University (HNBGU), has been nominated as a member of the high-level expert committee on “Hazard, Vulnerability and Risk Assessment (HVRA)” constituted by the Government of Jammu & Kashmir.

The committee was formally established through Government Order No. 168-JK (GAD) dated February 6, 2026, issued by the General Administration Department of Jammu & Kashmir. It is tasked with conducting a comprehensive scientific assessment of multi-hazard risks across the Union Territory, including earthquakes, floods, landslides, Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs), and forest fires.

Responsibilities include hazard mapping, zone delineation, preparation of an HVRA Atlas, and formulating concrete recommendations for integrating short-term, medium-term, and long-term mitigation strategies into governance and development planning.

Prof. MPS Bisht brings over four decades of dedicated research on natural disasters in the Uttarakhand Himalaya, focusing on landslides, earthquakes, avalanches, and floods since 1985. His work extensively utilizes data from Indian space satellites for geo-process analysis. He has provided critical expert advisory to both the Uttarakhand and Central Governments on major incidents, including the Uttarkashi and Chamoli earthquakes, the 2013 Kedarnath tragedy, the Reni-Tapovan disaster, and the Joshimath land subsidence crisis.

Most recently, on February 29–30, 2026, Prof. Bisht represented HNBGU at the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)’s consultative committee meeting for Himalayan states, where he presented valuable insights on risk reduction strategies.

This prestigious appointment underscores not only Prof. Bisht’s individual expertise on a national scale but also highlights the academic and research excellence of Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal Central University. The university community has expressed immense pride, describing the nomination as affirmation of the institution’s pivotal role in disaster management and sustainable development across Himalayan regions.

As climate change intensifies vulnerabilities in fragile mountain ecosystems, Prof. Bisht’s inclusion in the committee is expected to strengthen evidence-based policy-making for safer and more resilient communities in Jammu & Kashmir and beyond.

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