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.

Endeavor to protect mother earth

Endeavor to protect mother earth

Sruthy Gopal

“We do not inherit earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children”

- A Native American proverb

           

            The word ‘sustainable’ must have originated from man’s concern about the future. Every human being living in the planet has got an inherent responsibility to pay off a debt to mother Earth.

VC Dr. A Jayakrishnan releases the brochure. Also seen are secretary Dr. A R Rajan (left) and syndicate member Dr. Mohanachandran Nair

            The main objective of 81st annual session of the oldest science academy in India, The National Academy of Science is to preserve the pristine nature of the earth. The annual session and National Symposium on Sustainable Management of Biodiversity Using Science and Technology, hosted by University of Kerala, is aimed at conserving the biodiversity for sustainable development.

            Significant topics like biodiversity in the national and global perspective, bioresearch and management, eco-services, fragile ecosystems, critical scientific and technological inputs, government initiatives and capacity building will be discussed.

            “Biodiversity is interlinked with food security. In the 21st century, food security must be the first priority of the nation. The symposium will discuss critical scientific and technological inputs in biodiversity and food security”, said Dr. A. Bijukumar, Joint organizing secretary of the conference.

            To certain extent, Science and Technology has to take the liability of man’s uncontrolled exploitation of resources. The symposium offers a platform for those who think that science can contribute to the conservation of biodiversity in a better manner.

            The National Academy of Sciences India- Swarna Jayanthi Puraskars, each comprising Rs. 5000 and citation, will be awarded to young scientists presenting the best research papers in the sections of physical and biological sciences.

            The symposium brings together 400 participants from all over the country.