RCE Chandigarh
Overview
RCE Chandigarh network was initiated by Punjab State Council for Science & Technology (PSCST). Initially, PSCST as a lead agency had established linkages and partnership with 27 institutions and over the years, it has widened its network to over 200 institutions. The partners include Educational institutions, State departments / agencies, R&D bodies, farmers’ associations, women SHGs, industrial associations, CBOs and NGOs.
RCE Chandigarh network is geographically located in Chandigarh (Union Territory), the capital of Punjab, which is in Northern part of India. The operational area of RCE is Chandigarh & state of Punjab having semiarid to sub-humid climatic conditions.
Most of the Punjab lies in a fertile, alluvial plain with many rivers and an extensive irrigation canal system. A belt of undulating hills called Shivalik Foothill range, extends along the north-eastern part of the state at foot of Himalayas. Its average elevation is 300 metres (980 ft) above sea level, with a range from 180 metres (590 ft) in the southwest to more than 500 metres (1,600 ft) around the northeast border. The southwest of the state is semiarid, eventually merging into the Thar Desert.
Photo credit: RCE Chandigarh
Vision:
Small steps at local level adding to giant leaps at global level.
Goals:
- To address diverse issues of Sustainable Development with Science & Technology as tool through partnership & linkages at formal, non-formal & informal level
- To create awareness, undertake capacity building & participatory activities to promote ESD for adoption of sustainable ways & life-styles at local/regional level
Objectives:
The major thrust of RCE Chandigarh is to collaborate & establish linkages to reorient existing programmes to address sustainable development, develop public understanding and awareness about ESD & provide training programmes for all sectors of society.
RCE Chandigarh is working towards its vision, goal and objectives by communicating ESD through capacity building activities (by special ESD sessions during workshops), Public outreach activities (celebration of environmentally important days, seminars, trainings, orientation programmes, workshops, conferences, etc.), publications & ICT activities, and by undertaking projects / study / research & development activities for sustainable development in the region.
Photo credit: RCE Chandigarh
Punjab State Council for Science & Technology (Autonomous Body of Government of Punjab)
Name of organisation: Punjab State Council for Science & Technology
Role: Lead Agency
Contact name: Dr. Jatinder Kaur Arora
Contact email: jkarora20@rediffmail.com
Name of organisation: Punjab Biodiversity Board
Role: Expert Partner
Contact name: Dr. Jatinder Kaur Arora
Contact email: jkarora20@rediffmail.com
Name of organisation: Technology Facilitation Division
Role: Active partner
Contact name: Mr. Pritpal Singh
Contact email: pritpal.pscst@gmail.com
Name of organisation: Punjab State Innovation Council
Role: Active partner
Contact name: Dr. Dapinder Bakhshi
Contact email: dapinderbakshi@rediffmail.com
Name of organisation: Directorate of Environment & Climate Change
Role: Active partner
Contact name: Mr. Pardeep Garg
Contact email: garg_pardeep@rediffmail.com
Activities
- Integrating SDGs in the ESD and climate change issues
- Green Skill Development in region
- ESD related outreach/capacity building activities
- Demonstration & Promotion of technology for industrial air pollution control and energy conservation
- Gainful Utilisation of Paddy Straw briquettes in brick kilns
- Conservation of biodiversity
- Develop robust ecosystem for research & Innovation to enhance competitiveness, boost growth and create jobs.
- Promoting Secondary Agriculture Entrepreneurial Network for strengthening Agri- Food Industry & promoting Start ups
- Setting up of Rural Bio Innovation and Application Centre in Kandi Area of Punjab
- Setting up of Skill Vigyan Centre in Punjab
- Biotechnological Interventions for rural upliftment of community
- S&T for Women Empowerment
- Address grand challenges of the State relating to clean air, water & waste management through technological interventions & demonstration
- Supporting research, start-ups & innovation in the region
- Promotion of Science, Environment & Climate Change Communication and Outreach programs
- 3 RCE Recognition Awards by UNU-IAS, Japan to Publications developed on “Vulture: an Endangered Bird“(2015), “Climate Change”(2016) and “State Bird of Punjab : Northern goshawk (2017)”
- Best State Award from Union Minister of Human Resource Development, Govt. of India under Pan India Green School Programme
- Capacity building & Trainings on Regional Climate Change issues
- Awareness programmes for schools, colleges and universities were organised with an outreach to 0.5 million students
- Increased collaborations & networking with institutions, schools, colleges, universities and research institutions
Projects
Communication Channels
Contact Details
kulbirsingh.bath@punjab.gov.in
Punjab State Council for Science & Technology
Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Public Administration
Institutional Area
Near Sacred Heart School
Sector 26, Chandigarh
160019 India
