About the Congress
The 43rd Indian Geography Congress 2021 is the premier annual event organized by the National Association of Geographers, India (NAGI). This prestigious gathering brings together geographers, environmental scientists, researchers, students, and policymakers from across the country and internationally to discuss contemporary geographical issues and present research findings.
Since its inception in 1978, NAGI has been at the forefront of promoting geographical education and research in India. The annual Geography Congress serves as a vital platform for intellectual exchange, networking, and collaboration among the geographical community. Over the years, these congresses have significantly contributed to the advancement of geographical sciences in the country.
The 43rd edition continues this tradition by providing a forum to address pressing geographical issues, particularly those related to sustainable development. The theme for this year, "Geography for Sustainable Development: Challenges and Opportunities," reflects the critical need to integrate geographical perspectives into global sustainable development discourse and practices.
Congress Theme & Objectives
The theme for the 43rd Indian Geography Congress, "Geography for Sustainable Development: Challenges and Opportunities," is timely and significant in the context of global environmental changes and developmental challenges. Geography, as a discipline, offers unique perspectives to understand and address the complex interrelationships between human activities and natural systems.
The specific objectives of the congress include:
- To explore the role of geographical knowledge in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- To discuss contemporary challenges in sustainable development from geographical perspectives
- To showcase innovative research methodologies and technologies in geographical research
- To foster collaboration between geographers, policymakers, and practitioners
- To provide a platform for young geographers to present their research
- To disseminate geographical knowledge for informed decision-making
Key Focus Areas
The congress will feature presentations and discussions across a wide range of geographical themes and sub-disciplines. Some of the key focus areas include:
Human Geography
Urban development and sustainability, rural transformation, migration and displacement, social inclusion, cultural landscapes, and population geography in the context of sustainable development.
Physical Geography
Climate change impacts, land use and land cover changes, natural disasters and risk reduction, water resources management, and ecosystem services assessment.
Geographical Techniques
Remote sensing applications, GIS and spatial analysis, geospatial modeling, and digital mapping for environmental planning and development.
Environmental Geography
Environmental conservation, natural resource management, pollution studies, biodiversity mapping, and environmental governance.
Regional Development
Regional planning, rural development approaches, urban-regional linkages, and addressing regional inequalities.
Geography of Health
Spatial patterns of diseases, healthcare accessibility analysis, and health geography in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and public health.
Keynote Speakers
The congress will feature distinguished speakers from the field of geography and related disciplines, both from India and abroad. Notable keynote speakers include:
- Prof. R.B. Singh: Former President, International Geographical Union, University of Delhi
- Prof. Lily Kong: President, Singapore Management University
- Prof. Stuart Lane: Department of Geography, University of Durham, UK
- Prof. Saraswati Raju: Former Professor, Centre for the Study of Regional Development, Jawaharlal Nehru University
Registration Information
Registration for the 43rd Indian Geography Congress is open to all interested participants. Different registration categories are available:
Fellows/Members of NAGI: 1,500
Research Scholars/Students: 800
Foreign Participants: $100 (USD)
Registration includes access to all sessions, digital proceedings, and congress materials. To register, please visit the official NAGI website. The last date for registration is December 15, 2021.
For those interested in presenting papers, abstracts of 250-300 words should be submitted by November 30, 2021. Full papers should follow the formatting guidelines available on the congress website.
Congress Outcomes
The 43rd Indian Geography Congress aims to achieve several important outcomes:
- Enhanced understanding of geographical contributions to sustainable development goals
- Greater networking and collaboration among geography professionals and students
- Integration of advanced geospatial technologies in geographical research and education
- Improved strategies for addressing regional and local development challenges
- Increased awareness of environmental issues and conservation strategies
- Publication of selected papers in recognized journals and congress proceedings
The congress will also feature special sessions on COVID-19 geography, examining spatial patterns of the pandemic, its impacts on various sectors, and geographical approaches to pandemic management and recovery.
Contact Information
For further information about the 43rd Indian Geography Congress 2021:
General Secretary
National Association of Geographers, India
Department of Geography, Delhi School of Economics
University of Delhi, Delhi - 110007
Email: secretary@nagi.org.in
Local Organizing Secretary
Department of Geography
Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi - 221005
Email: igc2021@bhu.ac.in
Congress Website: www.nagi.org.in/igc2021
