Policy for Sustainable Use, Conservation, and Restoration of Land

Policy for Sustainable Use, Conservation, and Restoration of Land

Policy for Sustainable Use, Conservation, and Restoration of Land
Approved Board of Management on 12th January 2019
Notification Notified by Registrar vide notification No. SRHU/Reg/OO/2019-04 (i) dated 15th January 2019
Reviewed / Revised Board of Management on 29th March 2022
Notification Notified by Registrar vide notification No. SRHU/Reg/OO/2022-58 (i) dated 5th April 2022
Next Review 2025–26
  1. Short Title & Commencement
    1. This Policy shall be called the “Policy for Sustainable Use, Conservation, and Restoration of Land” of Swami Rama Himalayan University.
    2. This Policy shall be deemed to have come into force from the date of approval of the Board of Management of the University.
  2. Purpose
    1. The purpose of this policy is to guide Swami Rama Himalayan University in ensuring the sustainable use, conservation, and restoration of land and terrestrial ecosystems under its ownership, management, or influence. This policy aligns with global sustainability frameworks, including UN Sustainable Development Goal 15: Life on Land, which promotes the protection, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems.
  3. Scope
    1. All land, natural areas, and green spaces owned, managed, or leased by Swami Rama Himalayan University.
    2. All construction, landscaping, agricultural, or development activities on or near campus/organization property.
    3. All employees, contractors, students, and partners engaged in land-use, maintenance, or development projects.
  4. Goals
    1. Use land efficiently and sustainably, minimizing ecological disturbance.
    2. Protect and restore natural habitats, forests, wetlands, and soil health.
    3. Promote native vegetation and biodiversity-friendly landscaping.
    4. Prevent soil erosion, pollution, and unsustainable land conversion.
    5. Incorporate green infrastructure and nature-based solutions into planning and development.
    6. Engage the campus/community in conservation and restoration activities.
  5. Implementation Measures
    1. Sustainable Land Use Planning
      1. Integrate sustainability and conservation principles into master plans, development projects, and land-use decisions.
      2. Conduct environmental impact assessments (EIAs) for new developments or land alterations.
      3. Prioritize redevelopment or use of already disturbed land before converting new natural areas.
      4. Avoid encroachment on ecologically sensitive or protected zones.
    2. Conservation of Ecosystems and Biodiversity
      1. Identify, map, and protect ecologically valuable areas (forests, wetlands, grasslands, or riparian zones).
      2. Maintain natural buffers around water bodies to prevent erosion and pollution.
      3. Manage invasive species and promote native and climate-resilient vegetation.
      4. Implement no-deforestation and no-habitat-loss practices within all operations and projects.
    3. Land Restoration
      1. Restore degraded areas through reforestation, soil rehabilitation, and erosion control programs.
      2. Encourage afforestation using native species suited to local ecosystems.
      3. Rehabilitate abandoned or contaminated sites responsibly and safely.
      4. Partner with local communities, NGOs, and environmental groups in restoration initiatives.
    4. Sustainable Agriculture and Landscaping
      1. Use organic fertilizers, compost, and natural soil enhancers instead of chemical inputs.
      2. Promote water-efficient irrigation systems and soil conservation methods.
      3. Maintain green belts, community gardens, and permaculture zones on campus or facility grounds.
      4. Ensure landscaping practices enhance biodiversity and minimize environmental impact.
    5. Education, Research, and Engagement
      1. Promote awareness and training on land sustainability and restoration practices.
      2. Support research on land use, soil health, and ecological restoration.
      3. Involve students, staff, and community members in tree planting, biodiversity monitoring, and clean-up drives.
    6. Supplier and Contractor Compliance
      1. Require all contractors and vendors involved in land development or maintenance to adhere to sustainable land management principles.
      2. Include environmental clauses in construction and landscaping contracts.
      3. Prefer suppliers that demonstrate land-use sustainability and responsible sourcing of materials.
  6. Monitoring and Reporting for Compliance
    1. Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) for land conservation, restoration, and biodiversity enhancement.
    2. Conduct regular environmental audits and inspections of land management practices.
    3. Maintain records of restoration activities, tree planting, and land-use changes.
    4. Publish progress in the annual Sustainability or Environmental Report.
    All departments, employees, contractors, and partners must comply with this policy and applicable national land use and environmental regulations.
  7. This policy shall be reviewed every three years or earlier if required to accommodate new educational practices, regulatory requirements, or emerging student needs.
  8. The University reserves the right to interpret, alter, amend, modify, cancel or withdraw any or all provision mentioned herein above in this policy without any notice.
  9. In case of any dispute, the decision of the Vice Chancellor of the University shall be final and binding.
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International Endowed Chair Professor

Prof Rakesh Kumar

Prof Rakesh Kumar is the Founder and President of the Breast Cancer in Young Women Foundation (USA), dedicated to vaddressing the distinct issues affecting young women with breast cancer. He also serves as the International Endowed Chair Professor at the Cancer Research Institute of the Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences. Additionally, he holds adjunct professorships at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School and Virginia Commonwealth University.

Dr Kumar earned his Ph.D. from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in 1984 and began his research career at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in January 1986. From 1988 to 2017, he held various academic and leadership positions —including faculty member, tenured professor, distinguished professor, endowed chair, department chair, and research leader—at esteemed institutions such as Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York and the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. From 2017 to 2022, he served as the National Chair for Cancer Research for the Government of India and as a distinguished professor, continuing his innovative work in breast cancer research.

With nearly 40 years of research and professional experience, Dr. Kumar has made conceptual contributions to the field of cancer research (h-index 108, citations >50,000). He has authored over 325 peer-reviewed publications, edited or co-edited nine books, and delivered 290 invited lectures worldwide. His work has been featured on the covers of 18 major cancer journals and has been highlighted in institutional research reports of the MD Anderson Cancer Center.

A passionate educator and mentor, Dr. Kumar has guided 67 trainees throughout his career. He serves on the editorial boards of multiple leading cancer journals and has served on the editorial boards of 21 top cancer journals. His global reputation is further demonstrated by his participation in about 100 peer-review panels for cancer research funding in the US and internationally over the past 28 years.

Dr. Kumar's innovative research has earned him numerous prestigious honors, including the Hinkle Society Faculty Award at Penn State University (1994), the Dalla/Fort Worth Living Legend Faculty Achievement Award in Basic Sciences (2004), the Ranbaxy Research Award (2006), and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Association of Indian Scientists in Cancer Research (2013), among others. Dr. Kumar's pioneering research continues to have a profound influence on the fields of oncology and breast cancer, opening up new opportunities for biomedical scientists and trainees worldwide.