21st Prof. S.P. Sathe International Conference on Fragile Peaks, Shared Risks by ILS Law College, Pune [Hybrid; Jan 9 – 10, 2027]

ILS Law College, Pune invites submissions for the 21st Prof. S.P. Sathe International Conference on Fragile Peaks, Shared Risks: Transboundary Harm, Disaster Governance and Regional Cooperation in the Himalayas. The two-day interdisciplinary conference will be organised in hybrid mode on January 9–10, 2027.

About the Indian Law Society and ILS Law College, Pune

The Indian Law Society was established in 1923 with the aim of advancing legal education in pre-independent India. In 1924, it established the Law College, Poona, now known as ILS Law College, Pune. Established in 1924, ILS Law College is one of the oldest law schools in India. The College is accredited with an ‘A’ grade by NAAC and is stated to be persistently ranked among the top 10 law schools in the country.

About the Conference

The Himalayas are among the world’s most ecologically fragile and geopolitically sensitive regions. Glacial melt, landslides, earthquakes, flash floods, and infrastructure development create risks that cross national borders.

The conference will bring together scholars, practitioners, and policymakers to examine transboundary harm, disaster governance, climate justice, and regional cooperation. It aims to encourage meaningful dialogue and develop legal and policy recommendations for sustainable and cooperative development in the Himalayan region.

Conference Themes

• Session 1: Principles of State Responsibility, Transboundary Harm, and applicability to the Nepal Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) Disaster.
• Session 2: Cooperation beyond Sovereignty: Disaster Diplomacy in the Himalayan Region.
• Session 3: Panel Discussion – Disaster Management Laws in the Himalayan Region.
• Session 4: Post-Disaster Recovery – Issues and Challenges.
• Session 5: Indian Environmental Laws and the Himalayan Region.

Indicative Themes for Paper Presentations

• Principles for determination of attribution and causation in climate-induced disasters.
• Nepal’s claim to the Fund for responding to Loss and Damage: eligibility, access, and legal basis.
• Governing the sharing and use of technology for data sharing and early warning systems across borders.
• The Sendai Framework, international disaster response law, and the rights of affected states and persons.
• The role of SAARC, BBIN, and BIMSTEC in coordinated regional response.
• Disaster legislation across India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, China, Pakistan, and Myanmar after the Sendai Framework.
• Financing recovery through climate finance, concessional lending, debt, and the political economy of aid.
• Reconstituting ‘aid’ for climate-induced disaster as ‘reparations’ for harm caused by global emitters.
• Issues in the implementation of the EIA Notification in the Himalayan region, including post-facto and ex post clearances.
• Roles of State Pollution Control Boards, NDMA, and MoEFCC in granting clearances for developmental projects in the Himalayas.
• Judicial responses of the National Green Tribunal, High Courts, and Supreme Court on Himalayan development.
• ESG standards, corporate accountability, and due diligence for hydropower, mining, roads, and tourism in the Himalayan region.

Who Can Contribute?

• Indian and international students.
• Researchers.
• Ph.D. scholars.
• Academicians.
• Professionals and practitioners from the fields of law and humanities.

Submission Guidelines

• Abstract: 250–300 words outlining the research question, methodology, and relevance to the session theme.
• Full paper: 4,000–6,000 words, including references.
• Citation style: Bluebook, 21st edition.
• Authorship: Up to two authors per paper. Each author is required to register separately.
• Format: Word document, Times New Roman, 12-point font, and 1.5 line spacing.

Important Dates

• Abstract submission: November 25, 2026.
• Notification of acceptance: November 30, 2026.
• Full paper submission: December 31, 2026.
• Conference: January 9–10, 2027.

How to Submit?

Authors may submit their abstracts and full papers via email to spsatheconference@ilslaw.in.

Official Notification and Registration links have been shared.