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Explore advanced knowledge: VC appeals to scholars A two-day National Conference on Biodiversity concludes successfully

Kolhapur, January 16: The scholars should research basic elements and explore advanced knowledge in the field, appealed Dr. Devanand Shinde, Vice Chancellor, SUK to the research scholars in the field of Zoology. He was addressing at the concluding session of a two-day national conference on biodiversity and bio-resources management conducted at Shivaji University, Kolhapur (SUK). He added that along with conservation of biodiversity and its resources, research on living diversity, especially among human beings, needs to be done. Researchers too need to go beyond their usual comfort zone to get the most out of the research field, he added. National Conference on “Biodiversity and Bio-resource Management” was organized by Department of Zoology, Shivaji University, Kolhapur on January 15-16, 2016 with the objective to share the knowledge and experience among the researchers, which will in turn contribute to upgrade the awareness about environmental issues, biodiversity conservation strategies and bio-resource management. The conference also provided a platform to scientists, technologists and researchers to share their views and ideas and update their knowledge. The National Conference incorporated the themes like- Faunal Diversity and its Conservation, Role of Molecular Techniques in Faunal Diversity, Bio resource Management, Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Trends in Taxonomy, Animal Physiology, Cell and Molecular Biology, Environmental Toxicology and Miscellaneous to incorporate one and all. The Conference was inaugurated by the chief guest, Dr Kailash Chandra, Director, Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata and the Director, BCUD, Shivaji University, Kolhapur was presided over the function. Dr Chandra also delivered Keynote address on topic ‘Insect Diversity in India-Future Prospects and Challenges’. He said, insects are the largest, most successful and diverse animals on earth with over 1 million described species. They are most diverse in tropical forests, where the un-described fauna has been estimated to comprise 5 to 50 million species. Compilations on the insect fauna of India have been produced from time to time. Presently 64423 species of insects from 658 families representing 26 orders and 3 classes are reported from India. In his address he elaborated importance of insects in biodiversity distribution, locally and globally, and acknowledged the existence of ‘taxonomic impediment’ to the sound management of biodiversity. The present study yields information on not only gap areas at the macro level for all states, but also gaps relating to taxa at the micro level. There is need for long term strategy on taxonomy, which warrants establishing of the data centers and development of infrastructure for taxonomic research as per the Repositories Act on the groups and landscape level,

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broadening the scope for capacity building by training professionals in handling the large databases, Geographical Information System and remote sensing based analysis and information management, application of modern identification tools, etc. Keynote address was followed by Invited Talk by Prof G.N.Wankhede, former Head, Department of Zoology, S.G.B Amravati University, Amravati, on the topic ‘Diversity of Spiders and their Ecological Significance’. He said that, spiders are arthropods having 8 legs, and capacity to secrete silk immediately after birth. They are found everywhere in all ecosystems. Some spiders also secrete venom. Many spiders prepare web, spiders inhabiting caves have no eyes. There are 45745 species of spiders belonging to 114 families, of which 1730 spider species from 443 genera are known from India. Second Invited Talk was delivered by Dr P.S.Bhatnagar, Zoological Survey of India, Western Regional Centre, Pune on topic ‘Indian faunal diversity and its conservation’. He stated that, India is the 7th largest country with various ecosystems like forests, grasslands, wetlands, coral reefs, mangroves and deserts. The entire country is divided into 10 biogeographic zones. Out of 13, 98,972 animal species of the world, 93382 animal species are found in India. The highest faunal diversity is of Insecta, followed by Arachnida and Onchophora. The faunal diversity is very high in India, which includes many endemic and endangered species. Each species plays a role in the ecological community, so conserving the species and its habitat becomes important. Many new species are being discovered continuously from the country. Conservation strategies vary from one group of animal to another due to their habitat preference and distribution pattern. Endemic species with a restricted spatial distribution require greater effort in their conservation. Where species are limited to a few, small populations, it may be required to monitor diversity at genetic level to keep a watch on potential in breeding and extinction. Third Invited Talk was of Dr Varad Giri, National Centre for Biological Research, TIFR, Bangalore, on topic ‘Research in Indian amphibians and reptiles-past, present and future. He narrated his field experiences and shared diversity of amphibians and reptiles of India with reference to Western Ghats. Continental drift theory was well justified by presence of similar amphibians and reptiles species in far off places divided by oceans and mountain ranges. On the second day of the conference, the fourth Invited Talk was delivered by Dr M T Wakode, Director, Forest Based Industry, KVIC, Mumbai on topic ‘Bioresource management of honey bee in Melghat region- A case study in relation to economic development of Korku tribe’. Tribal groups in India are considered to be the earliest inhabitants of a country. Maharashtra has 35 districts, out of which 12 are tribal districts. The people of Korku tribe were given training in scientific bee keeping, so as to conserve the native bees. They were skilled in honey extraction without destroying the bee hive. Thus the natural pollinators, the honey bees are protected and in turn results in increase in forest produce. He has described scientific method of bee keeping and socio economic upliftment of Korku tribe from Melghat region, thus helping in bioresource management of the forest. Fifth Invited Talk was by Dr Sivaprasad. V., Director, CSR & TI, Mysore, Karnataka on topic ‘Conservation and utilization of mulberry silkworm genetic resources in India’. India conserves diverse mulberry silkworm genotypes running up to several hundred collected from diverse geographical backgrounds at various sericulture R & D institutions. The silkworm bioresource includes indigenous and exotic breeds of diverse nature. These bioresource are available to the breeders community to develop new hybrids for commercial exploitation and meet the targeted raw silk production. Despite the wide recognition of the role of silkworm germplasm in silk cocoon crop improvement, the extensive germplasm collections are not being put into effective use and restrict the utilization of exotic wild relatives and local races, which otherwise possess potential gene for exploitation. Identification of superior silkworm genetic resources for biotic and abiotic stress regimes is extremely important for sustainable sericulture development under climatic change. He emphasized the long term strategy for enhancement of silkworm genetic resources utilization by breeders to sustain investment on gene bank operations and inputs from sericulture research.

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Sixth Invited Talk was delivered by Dr B.S. Ingole, Deputy Director, NIO Goa on topic ‘Regional and seasonal variation in benthic polychaete diversity- implications to anthropocentric inputs’. He narrated the ecological characterization of the coastal marine waters of India in terms of density and diversity of benthic macro invertebrates, especially the polychaete community species. The baseline survey for benthic community structure was conducted at subtidal locations covering the entire Indian coast. The possible effect on feeding and spawning of aquatic benthic dependence species is discussed in respect to the time and space. He also classified ecologically sensitive zones and migratory corridor of endangered marine fauna. During the entire course of National Conference, there were 30 deliberations’ in terms of oral presentation and 50 poster presentations. Best Poster competition was also arranged for the interested participants. The conference was concluded with valedictory function. Dr M T Wakode, Director, KVIC Mumbai was the Chief Guest of Valedictory function and Prof Devanand Shinde Hon Vice Chancellor, Shivaji University, Kolhapur was the President of valedictory function. Prof DV Muley, Organizing Secretary of the Conference welcomed the dignitaries and participants and deliberated the valedictory report. Some of the participants expressed their views on the Conference. Prizes were distributed to winners of Best Poster competition. Dr M T Wakode, Director, KVIC Mumbai delivered the valedictory address. It was two day academic feast for participants and delegates coming from various parts of our country.