The real world challenges of environmental sustainability, decimation of water bodies, environmental damage, global warming and destruction of natural habitats were all ‘wicked problems’, which operate in real-world settings with a large number of interconnected subsystems, it was opined during a national summit on green and digital technology.

During a one-day National Summit ‘Green and Digital Technology : For Sustainable Future (GDTECH-24)’ with Jaipur Chapter of IIT Roorkee Alumni Association at Rajasthan International centre (RIC) here last evening, Ajitabh Sharma, Rajasthan’s Principal Secretary in Department of Industries, MSME and Delhi Mumbai Corridor, said , “The real-world challenges like sustainability, decimation of water bodies, environmental damage, destruction of natural habitats, global warming, depletion of natural resources, waste generation, income disparity, financial crisis, poverty, and terrorism, to name a few, are all ‘wicked problems’.

Sharma, senior IAS officer holding a number of important portfolios in the Bhajanlal Government, inaugurated the summit. He stressed that a wicked problem operated in real-world settings with a large number of interconnected subsystems.
”The interdependencies are extremely complex and mostly have intricate socio-economic, and environmental dimensions”, he added.

According to Sharma, the parts of this large system work in mutual contradictions. It becomes difficult to define or characterise the problem by simple methods using conventional tools.

“A seemingly simple solution will give rise to some new problems. Solutions to such problems would never be simple, but complex. Thus, a deep and holistic understanding of such problems is a must for finding long-term sustainable solutions as per the specific characteristics of the local settings”, he explained.

Jaipur Chapter’s Secretary Pankaj Kumar Bansal said this summit promised to be a pivotal platform for individuals passionate about the intersection of green and digital technology.

Chief Guest Shailaja Deval, IFS, spoke on the importance of conservation of natural resources and biodiversity.

Dr Rohit Goyal, Professor in Civil Engineering (Higher Academic Grade) said, “GDTECH 2024 provides a unique opportunity to explore the latest advancements, innovations, and sustainable practices in the realm of green and digital technologies. Join us as we envision a future where technology fosters environmental sustainability”.

Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee, IIT Roorkee Alumni Association, Central Board Of Irrigation And Power, New Delhi , Dr. Sudipti Arora, Environmental Research Scientist at Dr B Lal Institute of Biotechnology were among others who participated in the summit.