Member of National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog, VK Saraswat has stressed on the importance of sustainable development of the country with innovative support and application of science and technology in social perspective. He said this while speaking as the chief guest at the foundation day and golden jubilee programme of the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology (WIHG) here on Thursday.

Addressing the gathering on the occasion, he recommended site and resource based specific developmental strategies for different geographic areas including the Uttarakhand State. For Uttarakhand State he opined that fundamental problems are limitedly addressed and they need to be tackled by proper system and vision for agriculture, forest, horticulture, education, vocational courses, ecotourism and eco-friendly development.

Addressing the gathering as the guest of honour at the event, the Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee, director Ajit Kumar Chaturvedi spoke on the need and importance of research based on social relevance with a global outlook.

Earlier, the WIHG director Anil Kumar Gupta welcomed the guests and presented an outline of the development of the institute from its inception to the present stage. Along with invited guests, he also released a compendium on the occasion. The senior-most scientist of the institute Meera Tiwari was also present on the occasion which saw 18 awards being presented to researchers and scientists under various categories.