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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The organizing Committee of the National Conference entitled “Quaternary Climate

Change: New Approaches and Emerging Challenges” which was held at Birbal Sahni Institute

of Palaeobotany, Lucknow during 15th and 16th December, 2014 expresses its sincere thanks to

the Governing Body, Research Advisory Committee (RAC) of BSIP, Lucknow for their

motivation and encouragement throughout this journey of planning till the accomplishment of

the conference.

Our sincere thanks are due, to our sponsors - Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), New

Delhi; Department of Science and Technology (DST), New Delhi and Oils India Limited,

Noida, for their generous financial support promptly on our request and showing utmost interest

in the whole event throughout.

We are grateful to Prof. S. K Tandon, MoES, Chair Professor, IIT Kanpur for accepting

our request for becoming the Chief Guest of this event and enlightening the delegates with his

enthralling Plenary Lecture. Prof. A. K. Singhvi, PRL Ahmadabad and Prof I. B. Singh,

Lucknow, are acknowledged for delivering their thought provoking Keynote Lectures during the

conference.

We are thankful to Dr. Rupak De, IFS, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wild

Life) UP Forest Department, for accepting our request to become the Guest of Honour of the

conference on a very short notice.

Thanks are also due to the Conveners and members of various Committees of the

conference who’s untiring efforts have made this conference a grand success.

Prof. Sunil Bajpai Dr. M. S. Chauhan

Director, BSIP Organizing Secretary

& Convener

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REPORT OF THE CONFERENCE

A National Conference entitled “Quaternary Climate Change: New Approaches and Emerging

Challenges” was organized at Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, Lucknow during 15th and

16th December, 2014. Prof. Prof. S.K. Tandon, FNA, DN Wadia Chair Professor, IIT Kanpur and

Former Pro-Vice Chancellor; University of Delhi was the Chief Guest of the conference and Dr.

Rupak De, IFS, Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (Wild Life) was the Guest of Honour.

Prof. S.K. Tandon, the Chief Guest of the conference, addressed the delegates and delivered

Plenary Lecture on the topic “Twentieth Century Climate Change–Present, Past and Future”.

He gave comprehensive account on the climate change and global warming in context to

significant increase in Green House Gases (GHG’S) in the atmosphere due to escalating human

activities, including the widespread use of fossil fuel during the last century. According to him

there was an unprecedented enhancement in CO2 from the pre-industrial values of ~280ppmv to

~400ppmv in 23013-2014. He further said that IPPC projected (2013) the increase in GHG’S

from 450ppmv to 730ppmv during the current century. He narrated that global climate change

have been witnessed in the earth’s history over last 2 millennia, based on independent proxy

records. During this period Medieval Warming Period (MWP) between ~800 AD t0 1400 AD

and Little Ice Age (LIG) between 1500 AD to 1800 AD were the major global climatic events.

During MWP the colonization of Greenland and Eastern Canadian Arctic took place and the

inhabitants of these regions initiated farming at higher latitudes. This event is considered the

warmest period during the last 2 millennia. However, recent data have depicted that 1990 AD to

2000 AD has been the warmest decade in the last millennium.

       Distinguished guests present in the Inaugural Session; August gathering of Delegates; Release of Abstract Volume and Field Souvenir by Chief Guest; Guest of Honour, Director and Organizing Secretary of the conference 

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Two Keynote Lectures were delivered by two eminent scientists of the country. Prof. A.K.

Singhvi, FNA, Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad, gave a talk on Day 1 on the topic

“How realistic are the correlations of terrestrial records with marine and ice core records?”.

Prof. Singhvi emphasized on the proxy studies and the unrealistic one to one correlation of the

marine and the continental records. He alerted the delegates on the mis-interpretation of the

results by such one to one correlation as different depositional environments react differently to

the climatic phenomena at different spatial and temporal scales. He further illustrated that

different proxies in the same setup also respond differently to climatic changes. Prof. Singhvi

also emphasized on the immense possibility on the window of opportunity to create sediment

record in the terrestrial setup. The need in Quaternary paleoclimatology now is to understand the

proxies by determining their thresholds and response style and times scales along with sound

chronologies. Blending field evidence with chronometry is essential, along with recognition of

the nature of events being dated by a particular method.

Prof. I.B. Singh, FNA delivered Keynote lecture on Day 2 on the topic “Geoarchaeology of the

middle Ganga Plain”. According to him, this vast alluvial tract was formed during the Late

Pleistocene-Holocene by fluvial processes as a result of climatic variability, base-level change

and tectonics. He said that numerous lakes of variable sizes in the Ganga Plain, which are the

potential archives for Quaternary palaeoclimatic studies, were formed around 8,000 yr BP as ox-

bow lakes due to shift in river channels. He narrated that older archaeological sites are buried

under several metre thick sediment deposit due to active sedimentation and subsidence.

According to him the pollen evidence from the sediment deposits has reflected human habitation

in the region around 15,000 yr BP. However, cereal-based agrarian practice commenced in this

most fertile plain around 9,000 yr BP in response to onset of active SW monsoon. He further

emphasized that geomorphology, geology; archaeology and palynology/archaeobotany have

provided valuable insights into the landscape evolution, vegetation scenario, inception of

agricultural practice and cultural history in the Ganga Plain in context to climate change during

Quaternary Period.

    

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In all, 120 delegates participated from 17 universities/colleges such as Lucknow

University; Kuchchh University; JNU; Amity University, Haryana; Calcutta University and

Presidency University Kolkata; Burdwan University, Burdwan; Kanpur University; Amravati

University, Amravati; M.S. University, Broda; Deccan College, Pune; Rajasthan Vidhyapeeth,

Udaipur; Kerala University; Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi; Allahabad University,

Allahabad and 14 research Institutions/organizations like Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology,

Dehradun; GB Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment and Development, Sikkim; IIT Kanpur;

IIT Gandhinagar; French Institute of Pondicherry; National Botanical Research Institute,

Lucknow; Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad; Indian Institute of Sciences, Bangalore;

Indian Institute of Seismology, Gandhinagar; Archaeological Survey of India; Geological Survey

of India; Snow Avalanche Studies Establishment, Chandigarh; Central Ground Water Board,

Hyderabad; Remote Sensing Application Centre, Lucknow, etc. It also includes two foreign

delegates from neighbouring Nepal Academy of Sciences, Lalitpur, Nepal and Rajshahi

University, Bangladesh.

The conference was held under six themes:

• Vegetation Succession and Long-Term Climatic Variability

• Aeolian, fluvial, glacial, marine and organic sedimentary archives

• Temporal and spatial distribution, migration/extinction of flora and fauna

• Impact of anthropogenic activities on climate change

• High-resolution Palaeoclimatic Change

          

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• Tree-rings, speleothems, corals, diatoms and ice-core analyses

• Geochemical/isotopic signals of climate change

• Comparison of proxy records and models for past climate change

• Geology and Geomorphology

• Geomorphology and landscape evolution

• Tools and techniques to establish chronology of sedimentary deposits

• Impact of natural earth surface process on environment

• Sea-level Change and Coastal Environment

• Relative sea-level change and mangrove dynamics

• Land-Ocean interaction

• Marine and Coastal records

• Extreme Climatic events of the past

• Natural Hazards including Tsunami, Earthquakes, Cloud bursts Floods, etc.

• El Nino and La Nina oscillations

• Human Habitation and Cultural History

• Tectonics-climate-culture relationship

• Human evolution and settlements

• Ancient crop economy in relation to cultural history

The conference was held in two parallel sessions in Hall 1 that is this main auditorium

and Hall 2, which is Lecture Theatre on the first floor of scientific wing. A total number of 45

papers were be presented orally, and the remaining i.e. 64 papers were presented as posters on

two days of the conference.

Under the Theme “Vegetation Succession and Long-Term Climatic Variability” Prof.

L.S. Chamyal of M.S. University Baroda, delivered talk pertaining to climate change in

western Gujarat, based on the on sedimentological and stratigraphic studies, supported by

chronology and deduced the evolution of present day landscape, attributable to tectonic, climate

change and sea-level fluctuations. The sediment architecture of the region implies the large scale

flood plain aggradations around 120 to 30 ka in response to enhanced monsoon precipitation.

Later on, during LGM low sea-level and aeolian deposition occurred owing to weak SW

monsoon. Two short-term wet phases at 3-2.2ka and 1.8-1.2ka have also been noticed in the

region using multiproxy evidence. Dr. Ganju of SASE, Chandigarh presented paper on

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Luminescence Chronology of Late Quaternary glacial deposits of Nubra-Shyok Valley, Ladakh.

According to him precise Luminescence dating is required in order to establish chronology of

various glacial features, supplemented with geomorphologic mapping of relict glacier deposits

and pro-glacial sedimentary sequences. Such studies can aid in understanding the various global

processes eg. movement of ice sheets, past glacier dynamics during the Quaternary Period. This

may facilitate in modeling and drawing future scenarios of glacier dynamics with future

projections of changing climatic conditions. Dr. Navin Juyal of PRL, delivered talk concerning

climatic fluctuations on the millennial and centennial time scales in Central Himalaya, based on

mineral magnetic and geochemical studies of sediment deposits. The millennial scale monsoon

variability is attributed to insulation-driven position of westerlies. During weekend westerlies

and Tibetan Low northward penetration of moisture occurred from the tropical Indian Ocean,

whereas the opposite happened during enhanced westerlies and Tibetan High. The centennial

scale fluctuations were unstable climatic conditions, particularly after Last Glacial Maximum.

Dr. Anil Kumar of WIHG, Dehradun, spoke on the Luminescence Chronology and facies

architecture of the sand ramps in Ladakh. He unraveled that the time intervals of 25-20ka and

12-8ka were the major phases of aeolian accretion in Leh Valley. Around 30-25ka the region

witnessed wet climate when sand ramps were gullied and subsequently filled fluvially.

Under the Theme “High-resolution Palaeoclimatic Change” Dr. Narayan P. Gaire

from Nepal Academy of Science, presented paper of tree ring analysis from Nepal Himalaya

and assess the impact of climate change and reconstructed the past history of the region. He

observed that the height and age of Abies spectabilis decreased with increasing elevation. The

upward shift of Abies spectabilis was 1.56m to 3m per year. This study has implication for the

forest management and diversity conservation in context to climate change. Dr. A.

Bhattacharyya of BSIP, Lucknow said that several trees in the flow path of floods, snow

avalanche tracks, landslides and other hazards exhibit scar marks on their trunk. These injured

trees are useful archives to understand then past occurrences of such events through the analysis

of tree ring records. He has identifies several such trees suitable to reveal the sites prone to flood

prone and snow avalanche disasters in Kullu Valleys (H.P.). Dr. Y.B. Sharma, of Central

Ground Water Board, Hyderabad delivered lecture on short-term vegetation shifts in response

to climatic variability in the Mahi River Basin, Western India since 5000 yr BP., based on pollen

and other proxies. He further stated that the inception of agricultural practice right from the

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beginning of the pollen sequence, however, it exhibits a deviating trend due to irregular

behaviour of SW monsoon.

Under the Theme “Geology and Geomorphology” Prof. M.G. Thakkar from KSKV

Kachchh University, said on the sequential landscape evolution as a consequence of

earthquakes during the Quaternary Period. According to him this region experienced earthquakes

in 1819 AD, 1844-45 AD and 1956 and 2001 AD and these events have evidently modified the

topography of the region.1819 AD Allahbund earthquake in the western Great Runn of Kachchh

has significantly changed the topography of the region. The present work carried out by him

validates the fact that any young morphotectonic unit in the Kachchh Basin is a response to a

tectonic changes occurred due to earthquakes. Dr. Tarun Solanki from Institute of

Seismological Research, Gandhinagar, gave an account on the assessment of tectonic activity

in the Shetrunji River Basin of Saurashtra, which witnessed two moderate earthquake of Mw~5.1

and Mw~5.0 in 2001 and 2011 respectively. The seismic topographic studies of the region show

presence of NE-SW trending Girnar Fault and it was strike-slip in nature as depicted by

geomorphologic studies. Based on Relative Index of Tectonic Activity (RITA) it was concluded

that the upland of Shetrunji River Basin shows the highest degree of tectonic activity. Prof.

Mrinal Kumar Roy from Rajshahi University, Bengladesh, focused on the geomorphology

and morphgeological aspect of Ganga (Padma)-Mahananda inter-fluvial tract of

Chapainawabganj District and has delineated seven geomorphic elements (Land Element-1 to

Land Element-7. These elements are in the form of channel (active and abandoned), natural

levee, flood plain, flood basin, ox-bow lake, back swamp and old bar. Geologically, the basal

part of the lithostratigraphic succession (60m thick) is of Mio-Pliocene age and hence the

initiation of these geomorphic units started here during this period or even earlier. The Land

element-6 and 7 are flood basin and back swamp deposit respectively and can be used for

piciculture. The tract in the south is at present severely affected by river shifting.

Under the Themes “Sea-level Change and Coastal Environment and Extreme

Climatic events of the past” Dr. Anjum farooqui of BSIP, revealed the sea-level change and

status of mangroves in the eastern coast since 4.6ka, based on the pollen analysis of sediment

core from Coleroon River Delta. Between 4.6- 3ka the depletion in mangroves suggests the

regression of sea-level. Since 3-0.8 ka there was further fall of sea-level as depicted by scarce

mangroves. Prof. Dhruv S. Singh, of Lucknow University delivered a talk on the consequences

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of flash flood in glaciated terrain in Gangotri and Kedarnath regions in Garhwal Himalaya.

According to him the investigation of snow, ice, and glaciers provide important data base

concerning the climate change as their contraction and expansion is much affected by climatic

fluctuation. He said the modification of landforms and distribution of diamictons in the glaciated

areas creates confusion in identification of different types of landforms. Therefore, in his view

the flash floods are identified as events, which modify the pre-existing landforms. Dr. Atul

Kumar Singh of Banaras Hindu University talked on the connection between North Atlantic

Oscillation Index (NAOI) and Indian Summer Monsoon Rainfall (ISMR). According to him

Indian Summer Monsoon (ISM0 is the largest anomaly of the general circulation as it has always

been affected by some remotely located parameters at different spatial and temporal scales. He

tried to find out the possible linkage between the NAOI and ISMR in relation to Quasi Biennial

Oscillation (QBO). He performed comprehensive correlation analysis of the full time series as

well as the classified time series according to phases of QBO for a period of 60 years (1953-

2012) to explore the relation between NAOI and ISMR during different seasons to check its

applicability as a predictor of the ISMR.

Under the Theme “Human Habitation and Cultural History” Prof. J.S. Kharkwal, of

Rajasthan Vidhyapeeth, Udaipur elucidated that prior to urban phase of Harappan, local folks

were using variety of beads, paste and terracotta, besides beautiful painted potteries. However,

with the advent of urban phase Rohri chert blades, terracotta cakes, S-shaped jars, seals and

script material appeared at Kanmer site. The settlement was very small (<500 people) and was

protected by massive fortification. The inhabitants were practicing winter and summer crops.

However, rice appeared at the end of Harappan settlement with the inception of higher

precipitation climate than today. Dr. Vivek Dangi from All India Jat Memorial College,

Rohtak provided evidence of agricultural practice in Ghaggar Basin of Harappan age since 6th -

5th millennium BC based on the archaeobotanical findings, despite the lack of written records.

Dr. K.P. Singh of Rajasthan Vidhyapeeth, Udaipur deduced the history of water structures

during the Harappan Period. According to him Harappans were first to discover underground

water and developed certain structures and lifting mechanism for its consumption. In the

Medieval period a variety of water structures both underground and overground came into

existence and are altogether alike to those of today. Prof. Alok Kanungo of IIT, Gandhinagar,

inferred the early history of glass use since 1200 BC from Kopia in Sant Kabir Nagar district

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(U.P.), based on the archaeological findings and literature. According to him the commercial use

of glass and by-products of glass had played major role in distribution of glass to hinterland and

Southeast Asia.

POSTER PRESENTATIONS

In the conference two Poster Sessions on December 15th &16th, 2014 were also organized

and a total number of 64 papers were presented on various aspects covering all the themes of the

conference. Prof. L.S. Chamyal, from M.S. University Baroda, Prof. Alok Kanungo from

IIT, Gandhinagar and Dr. Vandana Chaudhary from MoES, New Delhi acted as judges to

evaluated the work presented by the participants. Three posters were adjudged best, based on

presentations of the research outcomes. Shipra Chaudhary et al. of IISc, Bangalore was

awarded First Prize and Certificate for the best presentation, whereas Mr. Premraj et al. and

      

              

           Delegates presenting their research work in oral presentations;  Photo gallery of conference is available at http://www.bsip.res.in/conf1415.html 

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Dr. Binita Phartiyal et al. from BSIP, Lucknow were awarded Second and Third Prizes and

Certificate respectively for their presentations, based on their research output. In the poster

session the young researchers had a good chance to discuss their research work in length and in

details with the stalwarts of this field.

FIELD TRIP

We also organized a post conference field trip in the vicinity of Lucknow city, which

provided glimpses of fluvial geomorphologic architecture, exposed Quaternary sedimentary

sequences, extinct and extant lakes in the Ganga Plain. The delegates also had an opportunity to

visit the ancient human settlement site-Hulaskhera, a conserved heritage by Uttar Pradesh State

Archaeology Department, where remnants of cultural sequences comprising Sunga, Kushan,

Gupta and Rajputa periods are exposed dated back to 3,000 yr BP. A total number of 40

delegates participated in the field-trip under the expertise and guidance of Prof. I.B. Singh a

renowned geologist of the country.

      

    Interaction during the poster session and distribution of prizes to the best three poster presentations 

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Some moments captured during the post conference field trip 

   

                   

    

     

      

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RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CONFERENCE

As the climate is a cyclic phenomenon, therefore, it is of utmost need to reconstruct the long and

short-term climatic sequences of the past on millennial, centennial and decadal time scales using

multidisciplinary approach. This approach is suppose to contribute substantially in assessing the

future course of climate in a definite time frame relevant to the society.

Prof. A. K. Singhvi, PRL, Ahmadabad, has suggested the organization of workshops in future

under the joint leadership of Prof. L. S. Chamyal, and Dr. M. S. Chauhan so as to provide a

platform for the young scientist and scholars for interaction and sharing their research findings as

well as to get aware with the current of research in the field of Quaternary palaeoclimate.

It has been emphasized to undertake joint research work by the Geologists, Quaternary

Palynologists, Archaeobotanists and Archeologists in collaboration with Archaeological Survey

of India (ASI), State Archeology departments, Universities already perusing such studies. This

joint venture will provide valuable information in unfolding the cultural history, initiation of

agriculture practice and state of course as well as the change vegetation scenarios and landform

eolution and climatic variability of the past.

It was strongly proposed to take initiative to constitute a Registered Society of Quaternary

Scientists working in different universities and institutions on the line of INQUA (International

Quaternary Association). The society will provide update information to the scientists regarding

the latest development in the Quaternary research. It is also expected that the society will hold

annual meetings/conferences/workshops/brain storming sessions/contact courses at different

venues of Quaternary Climatic research in the country for interaction and sharing of

knowledge/data of their research work. In the valedictory session it was proposed Prof. L. S.

Chamyal of MS University Baroda to take the lead to set up this new National Society.

The conference was a grand success, an elite gathering of the stalwarts in Quaternary Sciences

all over India and the budding Quaternary Scientists in making. With the recommendations of

the delegates were well taken in and with the help of our Sponsors, University and Institutions

collaborative efforts these recommendations will be made true in the coming years.

 

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Prof. Birbal Sahni