Joint Research Workshop and Webinar Series on China and India Studies
Topic: Bouncing back from COVID-19: Comparative Perspectives from China and India
Introduction
Lingnan University and Flame University are jointly organizing Research Workshops and a Webinar Series on China and India Studies titled Bouncing back from COVID-19: Comparative perspectives from China and India in 2021. The series taps into the topical nature of China and India relations as well as the experiences of the two countries in managing the COVID-19 pandemic. The workshop and seminar series have four themes relating to Post-COVID Geopolitics, Economic, Education, Poverty, and Environment Policy. The workshops will serve as a brainstorming platform for scholars at Flame University and Lingnan University to provide insights and formulate agenda for research collaborations.
Theme: Environmental Studies
The webinar with the topic of environmental studies was responding to the 15th SGD: concerning the subjects related to life on land. The two speakers shared the research topics related to promoting the awareness of natural resources protection in the region: Professor Goel shared her impact study on a compensatory conservation program among forest communities in India. Professor Paulina Wong shared the topic related to the air pollution of Hong Kong. The webinar also highlighted the 17th Goal of SGD about the joint efforts of different stakeholders to ensure the promote the sustainable use of natural ecosystems in line with obligations under international agreements.
| Date: | 30 June 2021 (Wednesday) |
| Time: | 15:00 -16:30 |
| Online Registration: | https://lingnan.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_dbq8W6RUsTsln5Y |
* A webinar link will be provided before each seminar.
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Topic: Examining impacts of Compensatory Conservation Program among forest communities in Central India
Creation of the development projects and subsequent conservation enclosures is a customary practice around the world. The creation of compensatory conservation enclosure, as a part of ‘market based’ conservation strategy, thus becomes a site for struggle of access and mobilization of forest resources. One such example is the proposed Omkareshwar National Park Complex in Madhya Pradesh in Central India. Situated in the proximal distance of notorious Indira Sagar and Omkareshwar Dams, this region has a volatile history. This case is a result of a resource control strategy which entails significant changes to the current forest management institutions and the forest policies. Through creation of this new conservation enclosure, local livelihoods are being threatened and hence, compel the forest communities to commute outside their villages for jobs. Through mixed methods, this ongoing study explores increasing labor commodification and how it reshapes the social and economic dynamics in close-knit forest communities. During ongoing pandemic, it states impacts of COVID pandemic on varying resource use of different social groups among the forest communities. It recommends creation and implementation of efficient development policies, specific to forest communities, including more employment opportunities, widespread education programs, social welfare programs and improved decentralized governance.
Speaker:
Assistant Professor, Environmental Studies, FLAME University, India
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Topic: The Environmental Health Effects of Air Pollution in Hong Kong: Challenges Before and After COVID-19
Air pollution has been widely recognized as a significant urban environmental health hazard in many Asian cities experiencing rapid economic growth but with less stringent environmental policies. Climate change, together with air quality degradation in overcrowded cities with complex infrastructures, has caused serious health problems. However, in the urban area of Hong Kong, sources of air pollutants are produced not only locally but also regionally, coming from across the border. This talk aims to present a grounded and neutral overview of the double exposure of transboundary air pollution and local emissions in Hong Kong, addressing increasing local emissions, relaxed regulations, and standards. Ongoing and emerging major issues and challenges, particularly after the COVID-19 crisis, demand a rethink. Additionally, what assessment methods (e.g., emerging urban sensing technologies and applications) can be exploited to enhance existing urban and health studies to meet the challenges for sustainable urban development?
Speaker:
Assistant Professor, Science Unit, Lingnan University, Hong Kong
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