AOQR

Working Group 5 : Indian subcontinent - Last Two Thousand years (I2KQAT)

Group Head : Dr. Praveen Mishra, Department of Geology, Cluster University of Jammu, Jammu
Group Secretary : Dr. Navin Gandhi, IITM, Pune

A core pool of researchers conducting the Quaternary palaeoclimate studies of the Indian sub-continent are looking into the last two thousand years. The theme I2KQAT shall bring forth researchers who are primarily focused on these last two thousand year as to get evidences of the more recent changes during the Quaternary. These evidences range from palaeo-proxy records from both terrestrial and oceanic realms, proxy based climate reconstructions and modelled palaeo-climate records to future climate models based on palaeo records within this time frame. This working group shall encompass these researchers and create a data base for all these evidences in the Indian sub-continent. These records shall help create past climate models and predict future climate scenario based on proxy data and recent climate records. The primary vision of this group will be to provide policy makers conclusive evidences for future climate scenario and help them define definitive policies for the sustainable development and societal benefit based on them.

5.1 Palaeo-proxies

Group Leader :
The Palaeo-proxies working group shall include researchers with conclusive palaeo-proxy evidences of the last two thousand years. This working group shall amicably bring forth the available proxy records in this recent period of the Late Quaternary. A synthesis of information based on all proxy data will be the primary aim of this working group.

5.2 Proxy-Climate modeling

Group Leader :
The Proxy-Climate modeling working group shall amalgamate palaeo-proxy researchers and climate scientist dealing with modern climate data sets in the Indian sub-continent. This group will combine the available climate records and palaeo-proxy records to bring a deeper understanding of the last two thousand years of the Indian sub-continent.

5.3 Extreme events

Group Leader :
The past few decades have recorded severe climate related event such as flash floods, cloud bursts, extreme droughts, avalanche, etc, in this monsoon dominated region of Indian-sub-continent. Proxy records such as tree-rings, speleothems and isotope records can identify such events in the past. So the Extreme events working group will coherently bring forth such palaeo-records based on proxy data sets and compare the combined evidence during the last two-thousand years with similar modern events.

5.4 Policy making-Societal Impact

Group Leader :
The Policy making Societal Impact working group shall have access to information from the above stated working groups. They will contribute in linking all the information to the policy maker at all governmental levels. The role will be primarily connecting the working group with the top level policy makers. The synthesis from each working group shall be considered as hands on evidence and shall be delivered to the government bodies and allied enterprises which shall benefit from the efforts of all these working groups to plan future course of action for the sustainable growth and development of the Indian sub-continent. As a beginning Indian government shall be the first recipient of this information and then as per course of action this working group shall help further planning and policy development by the Government.

5.5 Quternary Learning and education group

Group Leader :
This group should promote the Quaternary education through creation of such resources, media, syllabus, popular lectures etc.