Panjab University Hosts National Seminar on “Sociology of Environment and Contemporary Crisis in India” 

Chandigarh, March 11, 2026: Panjab University (PU), Chandigarh, through its Department of Sociology, organised a national seminar titled “Sociology of Environment and Contemporary Crisis in India: Navigating the Anthropocene and Local Realities” in collaboration with the Research Committee of the Indian Sociological Society. 

The seminar was held under the patronage of  Prof. Renu Vig, Vice Chancellor and Prof. Yojna Rawat, Dean of University Instructions and brought together scholars, policy experts, researchers and students.

The event was preceded by a pre-seminar workshop on March 9 led by Prof. Kulwinder Kaur, Dr. Manoj Kumar Teotia of RC-19 (Urban Studies), and Jit Kumar Gupta. The workshop included a guided urban walk from the Le Corbusier Centre to the Pierre Jeanneret Museum, examining the planning and urban framework of Chandigarh. Participants reflected on the modernist architectural legacy associated with Le Corbusier and its relevance.

Dr. Vinod Kumar, Chairperson of the Department of Sociology and Convener of the seminar, delivered the welcome address. The theme of the seminar was introduced by Prof. Kumool Abbi, Professor, Department of Sociology, who highlighted changing climatic patterns in northern India and emerging environmental challenges. Prof. Kulwinder Kaur of Jamia Millia Islamia emphasised the need to examine environmental crises within wider social and developmental contexts. 

The keynote address was delivered by Dr. G. Srinivas, Associate Professor at the Centre for the Study of Social Systems, Jawaharlal Nehru University, who discussed the implications of expanding human activity on ecological balance and social inequality.

The inaugural session featured Prof. Deepti Dharmani, Vice-Chancellor of Chaudhary Bansi Lal University, who reflected on cultural and ethical perspectives that regard the Earth as sacred while cautioning against growing consumerism. Agricultural policy expert Devinder Sharma highlighted the ongoing agrarian crisis and stressed the need to place agriculture at the centre of sustainability debates. 

A panel session chaired by Prof. Rani Mehta and Prof. Kulwinder Kaur included speakers Gurpreet Singh Toor, Paramjit Singh Rana, Mr. Jit Kumar Gupta, Prof. Monica Munjial Singh and Dr. Manoj Kumar Teotia, who discussed themes such as the environmental crisis of the Anthropocene, shrinking agricultural land, youth and consumerism, access to clean water and urban planning challenges in Chandigarh.

Another panel discussion chaired by Prof. Navneet Arora featured Dr. Manabendra N. Bera of Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Mohali, Akshat Patni and Dr. Rakesh Thakur, who examined environmental challenges from social, political and ecological perspectives and emphasised the need for mitigation, adaptation and responsible human action. 

The seminar also included technical sessions where faculty members, research scholars and students presented papers on various social and environmental issues. Prof. Soumendra Mohan Patnaik delivered the valedictory address. 

The programme was organised with the efforts of the organising team including Dr. Shamsher Singh, Dr. Medhavi Gulati, Amrit Pal, Diwan and Lalit Kumar.