Conservation of Biodiversity is a Biggest Challenge Faced By The Humanity: Prof Dhar
JK News Today
Jammu, Deceber 20:
The Department of Zoology, in collaboration with Poonch Campus, University of Jammu as part of University’s golden Jubilee celebrations organised national seminar on challenges in biodiversity conservation and management. Prof Manoj Dhar, Vice-Chancellor, University of Jammu in his presidential address talked about conservation and biodiversity management. Prof Dhar said that there is one more reason to celebrate biodiversity i.e. 150th birthday of Mahatma Gandhi and Mahatma was the great champion of preservation of biodiversity and our natural resources. VC said conservation of biodiversity is a biggest challenge faced by the humanity and for this purpose there is a urgent need to take an interdisciplinary effort, insights from ecologists, evolutionary biologist, geneticists, molecular biologist and conservational biologists will be essential. Prof Dhar said that our efforts in conservation of biodiversity will not only ensure our survival but help in ensuring balance in the ecosystem. In order to assess our preparedness for future challenges we need to answer certain pressing questions and in view of the climate change it will be interesting to know how the species and the communities will respond to a change in climate. Some of the questions Prof Dhar wants the participants in the seminar to ponder are, will some of the species be more vulnerable to extinction than others, will it be possible to slow down the speed of the biodiversity loss, what will be effect of biodiversity loss on the functioning of ecosystem, how will delivery of critical ecosystem services be affected, do we need better strategies for restoration of damaged ecosystem, how far will the conventions and legislations such as biodiversity act 2002 help in conservation and efficient utilization of biodiversity. Prof. Neelima Gupta, Vice Chancellor CSJM, University Kanpur in her key note address stressed upon the importance of conserving biodiversity and strengthening of the same to make life sustainable on this planet.Prof. YR Malhota, former Vice Chancellor , University of Jammu and founder of Department of Biosciences, University of Jammu, Guest of Honour on the occasion recalled his association with University and alsostressed upon the need of conservation and underlined declining biodiversity due to various anthropogenic activities.
Earlier, Prof. Seema Langer, Head of department of Zoology and Convener of the seminar in her address extended a warm welcome to all the dignitaries and emphasized the theme of the seminar to be the need of the hour.
Eminent Zoologists from different states of India were among the distinguished guests. Heads and faculty members of different departments of Life Sciences were also present during the ceremony. The event was hosted by Dr. Roopali Fotra.
