Early Times Report
Thannamandi, May 18: The Department of Botany in collaboration with Department of Zoology and Environmental Sciences under the aegis of IQAC of GDC Thannamandi hosted a satellite event of first World Species Congress as part of Viksit Bharat@47 Sankalp
GDC Thannamandi became part of World’s first Species Congress, a fully 24-hour fully virtual event hosted by Reverse the Red and Supported by IUCN between May 15-16, by co-hosting a satellite event, “World Species Congress @GDC Thannamandi” on the theme “Reverse the Red with special reference to Jammu & Kashmir” under the patronage of Prof. (Dr.) Farooq Ahmed, Principal of College. Dr. Ashaq Malik, IQAC Coordinator and Head, Department of Botany, was convener/moderator whereas Dr. Shiraz Ahmed, Head, Department of Zoology and Dr. Junaid Ahmed, Head, Department of Environmental Sciences of College were organizing secretaries of the conference.
Reverse the Red, a coalition dedicated to accelerating species recovery and amplifying the successful strategies and efforts hosted some 90 satellite events across globe including 9 in India and GDC Thannamandi hosted one of two events in Jammu & Kashmir and only in Jammu region. The Congress attracted more than 9,700 attendees from over 190 countries and various organizations collectively pledged to help reverse declines of over 3,750 species including 6 species of Jammu and Kashmir by GDC Thannamandi by 2030. The College shared a live stream of World Species Congress among staff and students and on social media as its first session.
On May 17 which is observed as World Endangered Species Day, the College hosted the 2nd Session of World Species Congress online in which Dr. J. A. Johnson, Scientist – F and Head Department of Habitat Ecology, Wildlife Institute of India Dehradun was Chief Guest and Keynote Speaker whereas Dr. Pankaj Chandan Sr. Nature Conservation Scientist. Kishtwar High Altitude National Park, Research Team, Dr. Shreekar Pant Head, Centre for Biodiversity Studies, BGSB University, Rajouri and Dr. Neeraj Sharma, Sr. Assistant Professor & Head, Faculty of Life Sciences (Research), Institute of Mountain Environment, Bhaderwah Campus, University of Jammu, J&K, India were resource persons.
In his welcome address, Prof. Farooq Ahmed underlined the need of conservation of species especially those at the verge of extinction by acting locally through active participation of all stakeholders. He appreciated the organizing Departments of College for their pledge to reverse the risk of extinction of 6 endangered species of Jammu and Kashmir viz. Markhor (Capra falconeri), Western Tragopan (Tragopan melanocephalus), Cheer Pheasant (Catreus wallichii), Atis (Aconitum heterophyllum), Himalayan Yew (Taxus walichiana) and ban-kakri (Podophylum hexandrum) by 2030.
Dr. Antony Johnson delivered keynote address on Endangered Species recovery programme in India whereas Dr. Pankaj Chandan gave an expert talk on Conservation of Critically Important Himalayan High Altitude Wildlife Species in India, China and Bhutan. Dr. Shreekar Pant spoke on Status and conservation - management strategies for Threatened plants of Jammu and Kashmir state (erstwhile) and Dr. Neeraj Sharma gave an account of Snow leopard population assessment in Jammu and Kashmir through their expert talks. The programme was followed by a panel discussion on challenges and opportunities and importance of community participation in species recovery. Dr. Abdul Haque Naimi, Prof. Asif Ajaz Lone, Dr. Nazar Ul Islam, Prof. Fatima Parveen and Dr. Ather Aziz Raina were rapporteurs whereas Prof. Supriya Gupta provided technical support.
Earlier, Dr. Ashaq Malik, introduced the audience about the programme and conducted the proceedings whereas Dr. Shiraz Ahmed presented the formal vote of thanks. The other organizing committee members include Dr. Nazakat Hussain, Rakesh Puri, Dr. Goher Iqbal, Dr. Gulshan Bhat, Prof Rumy Dar, Anuj Bali, Prof. Rizwana, Dr. Nagina, Dr. Sarfaraz Mirza, Dr. Arshad Khan, Dr. Salim Javaid, Dr. Nisar Bhat, Dr. Mohd Javaid, Dr. Nusrat Farooq, Dr. Wahid Ahmed Qazi and Farid Ahmed. The 3rd session of the World Species Congress satellite event shall be conducted on May 22nd , disclosed the organizing team. |
