Port Blair, April 17: Andaman Science Association, Port Blair is association with ICAR-Central Island Agricultural Research Institute (ICAR-CIARI), Port Blair, I.C.A.R., New Delhi, Bioversity International, PPV&FRA, New Delhi and Society for Plant Research, India is conducting conducting National Seminar on “Harmonizing Biodiversity and Climate Change : Challenges and Opportunities” from 17th to 19th April, 2015 at its Garacharma Research Complex, which got inaugurated today at 10.00 am by the Chief Guest Shri G.N. Sinha, IFS, Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (Wild Life), Department of Environment and Forest, Andaman & Nicobar Administration.
Speaking on the occasion the Chief Guest Shri G.N. Sinha emphasised the importance of biodiversity of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, since 86% of total area is covered by forest having wide range of flora and fauna. He said that if ecology perishes, economy perishes. He impressed upon that the scientific research Institutes like CIARI should take an initiative to make the information available to the public on Biodiversity conservation and climate change in the form of publications also. He also gave away a total of five ASA-Lifetime achievement awards and twenty three ASA-Fellow awards to the recipients conferred by the Andaman Science Association. Abstract book and souvenir were also released along with other publications of ICAR-CIARI by the dignitaries.
Dr. S. Dam Roy, President, Andaman Science Association (ASA) and Director, ICAR-CIARI in his presidential address gave a brief introduction about the genesis and its glorious journey through past three decades. He mentioned the demand of Journal of Andaman Science Association in various National and International libraries and reiterated the purpose of Andaman Science Association and stressed upon the impact of climate change on Island biodiversity. Finally he urged the young generation to take a lead role in strengthening the Andaman Science Association and thanked all the members for reviving the Andaman Science Association.
The Guest of Honour's Dr. Narendra Pratap Singh, Director, ICAR-CCARI, Goa in his address stressed upon the importance of biodiversity and climate change. Dr. S.K. Bhatnagar, Dean, College of Biotechnology, SVPUAT, Meerut, reiterated that the research organizations should work in a consortium mode to preserve the biodiversity. Dr. Abraham Varghese, Director, ICAR-NBAIR, Bengaluru in his address emphasised that the fauna or flora need to be quarantined before entering and leaving the Islands and greater control on agricultural pests need to be focused to preserve the pristine Island biodiversity. Dr. N.P. Singh, Director, ICAR-IIPR, Kanpur in his address said that biodiversity of this Island can be characterized by biotechnological tools and the information should be used for the benefit of mankind.
In addition to that, Dr. S.K. Bhatnagar, General Secretary, Society for Plant Research, announced four awards from the “Society for Plant Research”. A new chapter called “Society for Plant Research – Andaman and Nicobar Chapter” for cataloguing and conservation of Island biodiversity was also announced by the President of the Society, Dr. R. K. Gupta during the function.
At the outset Dr.P.M. Mohan, Vice President of ASA and Co-chair of NSBC-2015 welcomed all the dignitaries and Dr.A.K.Singh, Organizing Secretary NSBC-2015 proposed vote of thanks.
The technical session of Day 1 started with three plenary lectures viz., Biodiversity in bio-agents: exploiting climate adapted "bugs" for biological control by Dr. Abraham Varghese, Director, ICAR-NBAIR, Bengaluru, Island Agriculture: Perspective & Strategies by Dr. S. Dam Roy, President, Andaman Science Association (ASA) and Director, ICAR-CIARI and Coastal Zone Management and Climate Change by Dr. Narendra Pratap Singh, Director, ICAR-CCARI, Goa followed by keynote lectures on Himalayan agro biodiversity for food and nutrition security in era of climate change by Dr. R. K. Gupta, Coordinator SKUAST, Jammu and Studies on Climate change - need a paradigm shift by Dr.P.M. Mohan, Puduchery University. A parallel session of posters on the theme Biodiversity and climate change was also held. A total of one hundred twenty participants representing from different states of mainland and Island are participating.