36.7%
of India’s land surface
is degraded — water erosion alone affects 68.4% of that area
International Conference · LNECN-2026
Living With Nature
Empowering Communities With Ecosystem Insights
for Natural Resource Management
19–21 November 2026
ICAR-IISWC, Dehradun, India
Organized by IASWC & ICAR-IISWC, Dehradun
166
Days08
Hours24
Min47
SecAbstract Submission Deadline: 31 July 2026
0+
Expected Participants
0
Research Themes
0
Conference Days
0+
Countries Represented
About the Conference
Living with Nature.Soil.Water.Each Other.
Land is more than ground beneath our feet — it is climate, vegetation, water and soil bound together. Soil alone produces 95% of the world’s food, yet the systems we built to feed ourselves are degrading the very resource that feeds us.
India in context
Population
from 141 M ha cultivable
1.4 B
Rainfed cropland
of total cultivable area
55%
Polluted rivers
and counting
350+
Watershed treatment
₹93,880.68 cr since inception
100.8 M ha
The State of Our Land
Four numbers that change the conversation.
0.12
hectares per Indian
less than half the world per-capita average of 0.29 ha
95%
of all food on Earth
depends entirely on the thin living skin we call soil
₹1.27T
lost to soil erosion
in carbon and nutrients alone — plus ₹292B in crop losses every year
Why it matters
The world’s soils are mostly in fair, poor or very poor condition.
Land degradation strips soil of its capacity to produce economic goods and services. In India, water erosion is the chief culprit — costing between ₹0.07 and ₹1.27 trillion in lost carbon and nutrients (N, P, K, S) alone, with crop losses of ₹292 billion a year. Groundwater depletion and the pollution of more than 350 rivers compound the emergency.
A landscape-restoration approach answers all of it at once — surface water, groundwater recharge, soil moisture, climate adaptation, and the ecosystem services we all depend on.
“The future depends on what we do in the present.”
LNECEN-2026
A global conversation on ecosystem restoration.
Living with Nature: Empowering Communities with Ecosystem Insights brings researchers, policymakers and field practitioners from around the world under one roof — to deliberate, exchange and commit to actions that let life on Earth flourish in greater harmony with nature.
Showcase advances
Innovative research on soil and water conservation, watershed planning, and ecosystem restoration.
Drive policy
A platform for dialogue between scientists, governments and practitioners to translate evidence into action.
Catalyse partnerships
Network across disciplines and borders to forge collaborations that outlive the conference.
Live with nature
Build commitments toward sustainable resource management and ever-greater harmony with the planet.
Research Themes
Six Thematic Areas
Explore cutting-edge research across ecosystem management, conservation, and community empowerment.
01
Theme 1
Community-Led Soil and Water Stewardship
Participatory watershed management, FMNR and rainwater harvesting, the role of women, youth and local institutions, and linking traditional practices with modern interventions.
02
Theme 2
Ecosystem Services and Sustainable Soil-Water Use
Soil organic matter and climate resilience, payment for ecosystem services, soil health for food security, and wetland restoration and groundwater recharge.
03
Theme 3
Climate Adaptation through Soil and Water Innovations
Nature-based solutions for flood, drought and erosion control, agroecology for water-scarce lands, integrated soil-fertility and water management, and drought-proofing rural economies.
04
Theme 4
Science, Policy, and Practice Nexus
Digital tools (GIS, IoT, AI) for soil-water monitoring, indigenous soil and hydrological wisdom, story maps and virtual platforms, and open-access data for local action.
05
Theme 5
Digital and Indigenous Intelligence for Ecosystem Revival
Translating soil and water research into action, policies for land degradation neutrality and the SDGs, community science for mapping and monitoring, and scaling community-validated models.
06
Theme 6
Regenerating Landscapes and Rebuilding Relationships
Reclaiming degraded lands and reviving rivers, urban and peri-urban green infrastructure, healing the land through soil, spirit and social wellbeing, and inspiring youth through nature education.
Mark your calendar
Important Dates
The road to LNECN-2026, scene by scene. Every milestone you need to plan around — in one cinematic timeline.
PastImminentUpcomingLive
Submissions open94 days to go
31 Jul 2026
Abstract Submission
Submit extended abstracts (max 250 words) via the online portal.
Reviews complete125 days to go
31 Aug 2026
Acceptance Notification
Authors notified about acceptance for oral or poster presentation.
Camera ready155 days to go
30 Sep 2026
Full Paper Submission
Submit full-length papers for publication in the conference proceedings.
Last call186 days to go
31 Oct 2026
Registration Deadline
Complete registration with early-bird fees before the deadline closes.
On stage205 days to go
19 – 21 Nov 2026
Conference Days
Three days of keynotes, oral presentations, poster sessions, and awards.
Call for Papers
Share Your Research
We invite researchers, academicians, policymakers, and practitioners to submit abstracts for oral and poster presentations across six thematic areas covering ecosystem management, climate resilience, and community empowerment.
Extended abstract (max 250 words)
Keywords and thematic area selection
Author details and institutional affiliation
Presentation type: Oral / Poster / Invited / Lead
Full paper for proceedings (optional)
Submission Guidelines
Everything you need before submitting your work.
- Abstract Length
- Max 250 words
- Language
- English
- Submission Mode
- Online Portal
- Abstract Deadline
- 31 July 2026
- Full Paper Deadline
- 30 Sept 2026
- Presentation Types
- Oral, Poster, Invited, Lead
Registration
Find your delegate fee
Register before or after the due date and discover the perfect fee for your category.
186 days left at the before due date rate
INR
IASWC Members (In-service)
Active service members of IASWC.
Before Due Date
₹10,000
Early Registration
After Due·₹12,000
Register as IASWCINR
IASWC Members (Retired)
Retired members of IASWC.
Before Due Date
₹5,000
Early Registration
After Due·₹7,000
Register as IASWCINR
Non-IASWC Members
Researchers, scientists, and professionals.
Before Due Date
₹15,000
Early Registration
After Due·₹17,000
Register as Non-IASWCINR
Student/Research Scholar
Students with valid ID and research scholars.
Before Due Date
₹5,000
Early Registration
After Due·₹7,000
Register as Student/ResearchINR
Accompanying Member
Spouse / family attending social programmes.
Before Due Date
₹5,000
Early Registration
After Due·₹5,000
Register as AccompanyingEvery fee includes
Conference kitLunchesTea / coffee breaksCertificate of participation
Register now
* GST applicable as per Government of India rules. Bank details available on the registration page.
Venue
Dehradun, The Gateway to the Himalayas
The conference will be held at ICAR-Indian Institute of Soil & Water Conservation, nestled in the scenic Doon Valley of Uttarakhand.
Doon Valley
700m above sea level
ICAR-IISWC
Indian Institute of Soil & Water Conservation
A premier research institute under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, hosting LNECN-2026 in the heart of Uttarakhand.
Location
218, Kaulagarh Road, Dehradun, Uttarakhand 248195
Accommodation
Guest houses and partner hotels available at discounted rates for delegates.
Getting There
Jolly Grant Airport (DED) — 25 km. Dehradun Railway Station — 5 km.
Attractions
Mussoorie, Rajaji National Park, Robber's Cave, and more within short reach.
About Dehradun
A valley city
between two rivers.
Dehradun lies in the Doon Valley on the foothills of the Himalayas, nestled between the Song river — a tributary of the Ganga — and the Asan, a tributary of the Yamuna. Picturesque landscape, a milder climate and a calm cadence make it a gateway to the surrounding region.
It is a notable academic and research hub, home to ONGC, the Survey of India, FRI, the Wildlife Institute of India, IMA, RIMC, IGNFA, LBSNAA and the world-famous Doon School. Add Basmati rice, leechi gardens and tea — and a Dainik Jagran & KPMG survey ranking it among India's safest cities — and Dehradun becomes a paradise.
Doon Valley
Foothills of the Himalayas
Song & Asan
Two rivers cradle the city
15+
National research institutes
Safest
Among India’s safest cities
Places to Visit
Six stops worth a half-day
A curated mix of heritage, culture and natural wonder — all within easy reach of the conference venue.
6 km
FRI
Forest Research Institute
A grand Greco-Roman colonial campus set in 450 hectares of forest — a heritage icon of forestry research.
7 km
Mindrolling
Tibetan Buddhist Temple
One of the largest Buddhist learning centres in India, crowned by a 220-ft golden stupa.
8 km
IMA
Indian Military Academy
The cradle of Indian military leadership — pristine grounds, cadets on parade, and a storied chetwode hall.
10 km
Mandir
Shri Parkasheshwar Mahadev
A serene Shiva temple with sweeping marble courtyards and a quiet, meditative atmosphere.
24 km
Ashok Hall
Rashtrapati Niketan
The President of India’s Retreat — colonial architecture set against a backdrop of pine ridges.
8 km
Robber’s Cave
Gucchupani — Robber’s Cave
A natural river cave where icy water flows between two narrow rock walls — a local favourite.
Partners & Sponsors
Our Valued Supporters
Platinum Partners
IWMI
Ministry of Jal Shakti
Gold Partners
DoLR
NABARD
ICRISAT
Knowledge Partners
ICAR
ICRAF
FAO
Find Us
ICAR-IISWC, Dehradun
Join us in Dehradun
Be Part of the Change
Join leading researchers and practitioners from across the globe to shape the future of ecosystem-based natural resource management.
Abstract Deadline: 31 July 2026 — Submit your extended abstract before it's too late!