2004 tsunami was a wake up call

2004 tsunami was a wake up call

Anila Backer

Lekshmi Vijayan

  Prominent professors, K. Ganeshaiah, Ajay Parida, R.C.Srivastava, Bhavanath Jha, Zafer A. Reshi and N.S. Shekhawat were the key speakers in the session on ‘Fragile Eco-Systems’. It was chaired by Prof. A. K. Sharma.

  Dr. K. Ganeshaiah spoke on ‘Conserving Eco-Systems: Defining, Mapping and Conserving Sensitive Areas’. He pointed out that the conservation of biological diversity and development is negatively related. “A conservation that promotes the use of resources is more sustainable”, he said.

  Dr. Ajay Parida emphasized on coastal zone management in his talk on ‘Enhancing value of bio resources through appropriate use of Science and Technology’. He opined rapid urbanisation and industrialization in the coastal areas in India as the major challenge in its management.

  Dr. R. C. Srivastava spoke on ‘Ecological threats to fragile island ecosystem due to climate change- The Andaman experience’. He emphasized the need of protecting coastal line especially mangroves and coral reefs from the impact of climate change.

  Dr. Bhavanath Jha, in his speech on ‘Halophyte is a source of novel genes and microbes conferring salt adaptation and sustainability’ suggested that crops can be modified to be cultivated in waste lands even with high salinity by making use of genes and microbes from halophytes.

  Dr. Zafer A. Reshi spoke on ‘Alien plant invasions in India: Need for an integrated research and policy framework for their management’. He emphasized the need for identifying the factors contributing to alien species’ invasiveness and their impact on the ecosystem. “Biological invasions resulting from fragility are the second major threat to biodiversity. We should grade ecosystems in terms of fragility”, he said.

  Dr. N. S. Shekhawat talked on the need to protect xerophytes from the impact of climate change issues in his speech on ‘Bioresearches of Fragile Ecosystem/Desert’.

  A common opinion of the speakers was that the ‘Tsunami’ in 2004 served as a wakeup call for sound and sustainable management of coastal zone.