RAJOURI :The two-day national conference on “Mountain Landscapes in the Anthropocene: Managing Biodiversity for a Sustainable Future” concluded today at Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University (BGSBU), Rajouri. Sponsored by the J&K Science, Technology & Innovation Council, Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of Jammu and Kashmir, and the Department of Ecology, Environment and Remote Sensing, Government of Jammu and Kashmir, the conference brought together academicians, researchers and environmental experts from across the country to deliberate on biodiversity conservation, sustainable mountain development and emerging environmental challenges.
The conference received 154 research paper abstracts from across India, reflecting significant academic interest in mountain ecosystems and biodiversity conservation. The academic programme featured 10 technical sessions, including 20 oral presentations by senior scientists, 54 oral presentations by young scientists and research scholars, and 20 poster presentations, providing a platform for scientific exchange and showcasing research on contemporary environmental concerns.
Vice Chancellor Prof. Jawaid Iqbal congratulated the organising team on the successful conduct of the conference and appreciated the participation of researchers and academicians from across the country. He emphasised the importance of interdisciplinary research and academic collaboration in addressing environmental challenges and safeguarding the biodiversity of the Himalayan region.
Prof. Titi Xavier, Dean Academic Affairs, congratulated the organisers and participants, highlighting the importance of sustained academic engagement and research in developing effective approaches to biodiversity conservation and sustainable mountain development.
Sh. Ravi Kumar Sihag, IAS, Registrar, BGSBU, also congratulated the organising team for successfully bringing together researchers and experts on a significant environmental theme. He underscored the importance of such academic initiatives in strengthening research collaboration and promoting environmental awareness.
Dr. Mohd Hanief, Lead Organiser, presented the conference report, highlighting the key deliberations and academic contributions of the two-day event. The discussions covered climate change, biodiversity loss, sustainable natural resource management and the role of local communities in conserving fragile mountain ecosystems.
A total of 9 awards were awarded in four different categories including senior scientist , young scientist , oral and poster presentations.