National Conference on Climate Resilience and Environmentally Sustainable Technologies
Surathkal: The National Institute of Technology Karnataka, Surathkal, launched the inaugural ceremony of the First National Conference on Climate Resilience and Environmentally Sustainable Technologies (NITK-CREST 2025) today, February 27, 2025. This three-day multidisciplinary event, running from February 27 to March 1, 2025, unites experts, academicians, and industry leaders to tackle pressing sustainability challenges. NITK-CREST 2025 is a collaborative effort led by the Department of Chemical Engineering with representation from six NITK departments, organized in association with the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB), and financially supported by the Anusudhan National Research Foundation, Government of India, and other esteemed organizations.
Conference Highlights
NITK-CREST 2025 focuses on six key themes—Water: Sustainable water management and conservation; Earth (Materials): Sustainable materials and waste management; Air: Air quality and pollution control; Fire (Energy): Renewable energy and sustainable technologies; Space (Climate): Climate change and its global impact; and Artificial Intelligence: Leveraging AI for environmental solutions—and has attracted significant interest with approximately 225 abstract submissions, featuring 12 keynote lectures by eminent personalities, combined with technical sessions, poster presentations, and invited talks from distinguished speakers from institutions like IIT Madras, IIT Bombay, IIT BHU Varanasi, DRDO Bangalore, and CWRDM Kozhikode over its three-day duration.
Inaugural Ceremony
The inauguration was graced by Chief Guest Dr. K. Balachandra Hebbar, Director of ICAR-Central Plantation Crops Research Institute, and Guest of Honour Shri Padmanand Warrier, NITK alumnus, Founder of Warrier H.E.A.R.T., and Startup Advisor. Prof. B. Ravi, Director of NITK Surathkal, presided over the event. Other dignitaries present included Dr. H. Lakshmi Kantha from KSPCB, Prof. I. Regupathi, Conference Chairman and Head of the Chemical Engineering Department, NITK, and Dr. Chinta Sankar Rao, Conference Convenor, alongside functionaries, faculty and staff.
In his keynote address, Dr. K. Balachandra Hebbar emphasized the urgency of interdisciplinary collaboration for climate resilience. “If we want to address climate resilience, we must first understand its impact. This conference is pivotal in discussing sustainable environmental solutions. In today’s context, digitization is critical—simulation models, remote sensing, IoT, and AI are essential tools, but data availability remains a major challenge, especially from the plant side. We lack the requisite equipment to measure this data. While biologists conduct research from our perspective, quality data requires collaboration with engineers from institutions like NITK and IITs. We’re seeing such partnerships grow, but it takes time. Without collective effort, progress is difficult. I’m pleased we already collaborate with NITK Surathkal and look forward to deepening these ties.”
Dr. Hebbar also highlighted adaptation strategies and technological innovation. “From soil and plant perspectives, precision agriculture is key. We’ve made advancements, but we need to develop sensors for nutrients—there’s huge potential for collaboration here. Microorganisms and organic matter enrichment through biomass conversion are equally vital. Naturally, Earth thrives on sunlight, nutrients, and water—producing more biomass benefits the planet. Mitigation is another focus: reducing emissions of carbon dioxide, methane, nitrogen oxide, and sulfuric oxide from plants and soil would be a significant contribution. India has pledged to reach net zero by 2047, and agriculture holds immense potential. Our Prime Minister’s green credit initiative is promising, but standard methodologies for monitoring carbon credits in agriculture are limited. We must develop our own gadgets and small machinery to measure local changes. I’m encouraged to see IITs and NITK fostering startups, and I’m confident this conference will spark innovative ideas and recommendations.”
Shri Padmanand Warrier inspired the audience, stating, “The word ‘CREST’ symbolizes an aspiration for greatness. This conference will set an exemplar for national and international forums on this subject. Despite challenges, we are engineers, researchers, and scientists—optimism is in our DNA. We believe we can make a difference. Vision without action is just a dream, action without vision wastes time, but action with vision can change the world. Let’s align our vision with an action plan. I’m sure discussions here will extend beyond the sandy shores of Surathkal and create lasting impact.”
Prof. B. Ravi, in his presidential remarks, highlighted the interconnectedness of disciplines. “The health of people (medical science), plants (agricultural science), and the planet (environmental science) are interlinked. No single person, department, or institute can solve these challenges alone—interdisciplinary, institutional, and even international collaboration is the path forward. It’s time for knowledge integration across disciplines and industry verticals. At NITK, our action plan includes the ‘6S’ project: a smart, sustainable, healthy, clean, safe, and prosperous campus. We’re advancing water and energy projects and will now include soil initiatives. I appreciate Shri Padmanand Warrier’s efforts to unite core disciplines with computer science and computational intelligence. My thanks to the conference team and dignitaries for making this event possible.”
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