Dear Colleagues and Friends!

The first question that comes to our mind when there is a talk on environment is whether it figures well in our practice. The next thought that disturbs us is if it is predominantly a part of our consciousness. Any discourse on the environment is not just for its own sake, but rather for the sake of collective transformation. The purpose of the seminar being organized by the Department of English, Bodoland University is to bring the disciplines together and take views from various perspectives which ought to be translatable into action. Literature departments will look at how the representation of environment in various literary texts addresses the environmental consciousness as the main objectives are to create and deepen consciousness. Environment matters both at local and global levels. Among the different issues around the world, this is one which does not have any boundary. So, while addressing it, a concerted effort of people from all walks of life is required, irrespective of regional, national and continental boundaries.

As far as humankind’s present knowledge is concerned, the earth is the only planet for humans to inhabit. It is everyone’s responsibility to think about it holistically. One very important problem on this planet is burgeoning population growth which the earth is not able to sustain. Because of population growth, trees are felled, air is polluted, and hills are cut down for human habitation. Third world countries, like the first and second world, do not have any clear-cut policies for the sustenance of the earth. This is one of the major-specific issues relating to the environment. However, the fact is that the world cannot rest peacefully without environmental education. For us, it is necessary to know how to manage behaviour and ecosystems for sustainable living. Environmental studies as a discipline crisscrosses with other disciplines such as earth science, physics, ecology, chemistry, biology, geography and atmospheric science. By inculcating environmental awareness, we need to develop love and respect for nature in relation to society. In advanced countries, there is a move now to develop societal quality of life by way of the protection of the environment, eradication of poverty and abolition of inequalities. Environmental education is not something which can be imparted only in the classroom. It can be taught in zoos, parks and nature centres, etc. to have more impact.

To increase awareness, citizen of all demographics could be engaged. While dealing with the issues, we will have to think critically, ethically and creatively. To protect the environment, we ought to work independently as well as collectively. We have to remember that by solving environmental problems, we are positively contributing to the world. Alongside it, we will have to develop physical activity and diet quality as well. One can make a career while dealing with the environment. Activities such as enforcing park rules, giving tour to groups for educational purpose and protecting parks from pollution and forest fire etc. are really interesting and practical. Besides, there is ample scope for becoming an environmental education teacher, environmental scientist and environmental engineer etc. with certified knowledge.

The following are different sub-disciplines under environmental studies that are worth much discussion in the present scenario: Education for Sustainable Development (ESD), Climate Change Education (CCE), Science Education (SE), Citizen Science (CS), Climate Change Education (CCE), Outdoor Education (OE), Experiential Education (EE), Garden-based learning (GBL) and Inquiry-Based Science (IBS) which have their own goals. They are interdisciplinary, yet uphold the philosophy of environmental education.

The ultimate objective is to educate individuals to live in a sustainable society and build a strong relationship with nature. We should go for a policy to develop new green policy which is practical. We look forward to bringing together people from across the globe who can, through their intellectually stimulating participation, help us in adding meaningful research contribution to the ongoing discourse on Environment studies.

 (a) Art, Literature, Performance, Media, and Environment

(b) Emerging areas of the Environmental Humanities, including studies of energy, emergencies, oceans, wetlands, animals, plants, and the Anthropocene

(c) Indigenous People and the Environment

(d) Folk Cultures, Nature and Literature

(e) Environment and Human Relationships

(f) Environmental Design and Environmental Quality

(g) Environmental Laws, Protocols of Investigation

(h) Environmental Issues and the New Fields of study

(i) Contemporary Environmentalism and Ecological Remedies

(j) Bioregionalism, Landscape Ecology and Ecosystem Services

(k) Green Infrastructure Planning

(l) Policy Approaches to Environmental Issues

(m) Is Female to Male as Nature is to Culture?

(n) The politics of Ecological Rationality

(o) Rivers, Hills, and Mountains

A 250 word Abstract in MS word along with 5 keywords should be sent to the convener at bodolanduniversity@gmail.com on or before 15th September 2021. You are also requested to send a short bio-note (100-150 words) indicating Institutional affiliation, designation, email address, contact number, publication details and research experience as a single MS word file along with the abstract. Acceptance of paper proposals will be intimated on or before 30th October 2021.  Full papers should be between 6000 to 8000 words and must adhere to 7th edition of APA style sheet. Please use end-notes instead of foot-notes. Margins - 2 cm on all sides, Font - Times New Roman, 12 points, MS Word. 

We expect to hold the seminar at Kokrajhar, India in hybrid mode (Virtual/Online & Offline) from 9th February 2022 to 11th February 2022. The decision to hold the seminar offline will be subject to Bodoland University Rules & Government of India guidelines pertaining to permission for public gathering during pandemics.

KEYNOTE SPEAKER 

Scott Slovic, University Distinguished Professor of Environmental Humanities, English Department, University of Idaho, USA

Richard Kerridge, Bath Spa University, UK. 

PLENARY SPEAKERS

Zelia Bora, Professor of Brazilian and Portuguese Studies at Federal University of Paraíba, Brazil.

Professor Pradip Kumar Patra, Rector, Bodoland University, Kokrajhar.

Swarnalatha Rangarajan, Professor of English, Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, IIT Madras. 

Nigamananda Das, Professor, Department of English, Nagaland University, Nagaland.

Raj Kumar, Professor, Department of English, University of Delhi.

John Charles Ryan, Adjunct Associate Professor, Southern Cross University and Nulungu Institute, Notre Dame University, Australia. 

Christopher Schliephake, Senior Lecturer, Department of Ancient History, University of Augsburg, Germany. 

Tanushree Nayak, Assistant Professor & Head, Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, CIT, Kokrajhar.