KERALA AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY

 

Kerala Agricultural University

Ministry of Human Resource Development

(A UNESCO related activity)

 

 

jointly organize

 

 

 

  

 

Seminar on Conserving Biodiversity- Tools and Approaches

March 19-21

 

College of Horticulture

Kerala Agricultural University

KAU P.O, Thrissur. Pin 680656

 

 

Biodiversity’ – short for ‘biological diversity’ – refers to the totality and variety of life on earth. Biodiversity exists at three levels: ecosystems, species, and genes. The species is the yardstick by which the variety of life has traditionally been measured. To date, roughly 1.7 million species of plants, animals and microorganisms have been discovered and formally described. This roster of known species represents only a fraction of the total number. This spectacular variety of life is the result of billions of years of evolution: the cumulative, non-random selection of random genetic mutations. Since the total number of species on earth can only be estimated, the exact rate of current species loss is difficult to gauge. The figure probably stands at between 50 and 150 extinctions per day. Working from the conservative estimate that earth is home to 10 million species in all, this means that between 0.2 and 0.6 percent of species are being lost every year. This rate is at least 10,000 times greater than the ‘background’ or natural rate of species extinction. Eminent biologist Edward O. Wilson has estimated that if current trends continue, a fifth of all species will go extinct within the next 30 years.

 

Genetic diversity within species is also being eroded. This trend is especially alarming from an agricultural perspective. Since 1900, some three-quarters of the genetic diversity of cultivated crops have disappeared. The loss of genetic diversity matters because a large proportion of the world’s agricultural systems depend on the regular assimilation of wild genes to stay one step ahead of the threat posed by pests and diseases.

 

So the increasing loss of biodiversity on this planet has reached alarming heights now. What is being done about it? Is it possible to combat species loss? Is this the best way of addressing the wider problems?

 

Conserving biodiversity is now a delicate balancing act that many international and national bodies are striving to master. The United Nations declared 2010 to be the International Year of Biodiversity. The world is invited to take action in 2010 to safeguard the variety of life on earth: biodiversity, which is vital for our very survival as a race.

 

In this context, the College of Horticulture, Kerala Agricultural University and the Ministry of Human Resources Development jointly organize a three day seminar on “conserving biodiversity – tools and approaches” meant for professional college students, under the scheme for UNESCO related activities.  This program falls in line with UNESCO’s focal areas of ‘man and biosphere’ and participation of youth in programs that fall in the ambit of UNESCO activities. It will be a forum, where speakers of repute will deliver sessions on key issues in biodiversity and where the flag bearers of our nation will gain valuable insights about the diverse yet eroding wealth of our natural resources. There will be also a session for case presentations by the participant students, and the best two cases will be awarded with prizes. A certificate of participation by KAU-MHRD under UNESCO related activity will be issued to all the participants.

 

Eligibility

Professional college students from Kerala, including medical, dental, engineering, ayurveda, veterinary, forestry colleges and others will be eligible to participate in the seminar. The total number of participants will be limited to 30. There will be no registration fee. Food and accommodation (if necessary) will be free.

 

 

Day 1 – 19/3/2010

 

9.30-11.30                                                                   

Inaugural Function

 

Key note address: Role of birds in biodiversity

Dr. M.K Prasad

Former Pro V.C, Calicut University

Co-ordinator, Kerala Sastra Sahitya Parishad (KSSP)

 

 

11.30-1.0                                                                      

Importance of biodiversity in enhancing agricultural production

Dr. P.Pushpangadan, Director General
Amity Institute for Herbal and Biotech Products Development, Thiruvananthapuram

 

 

2.00-3.30                                                                      

Kerala’s Biodiversity - an Overview

Dr. S. Satish Chandran Nair, Director, 
INTACH (SRO), Thiruvananthapuram

 

 

3.30-5.0                                                                          

Introduction to the tools of Biodiversity mapping

Dr. A. R. R. Menon
Forest Information and Management (Systems) Division, Kerala Forest Research Institute, Peechi

 

Day 2- 20/3/2010

 

9.30-11.0                                                                      

Conserving Biodiversity- Its significance   

P.N. Unnikrishnan, I.F.S

Chief conservator of forest, (Ecology & Tribal Welfare)

 

11.00-12.00                              

Insect Biodiversity

Dr. K.D. Prathapan

Associate Professor, College of Agriculture, Vellayani

 

 

12.00-1.00                                

Forest Diversity

Dr. N. Sasidharan,

Kerala Forest Research Institute, Peechi

 

2.00-4.00                                  

Biodiversity in mammals

Dr. P.O. Nameer, Associate Professor (wildlife) and Head, Centre for Wildlife Studies, College of Forestry, Vellanikkara

 

 

Day 3- 21/3/2010

 

 

9.30-1.00

Presentation of selected cases by students

 

2.00-3.0                                                                          

Presentation continues

 

3.00-4.30                                  

Prize distribution to the best causes and valedictory

 

 

Case presentation

Each participant is expected to send us a case from his/her knowledge pertaining to biodiversity. It can be dealing with existent or impending threat to biodiversity attempts form the part of individuals, groups, communities or NGO’s to conserve biodiversity success stories, stories of negligence or ignorance and the like. The cases will be screened by our screening committee and ten cases will be selected for oral presentation. Out of this the best two will be awarded prizes. The cases should be sent in the email id mhrdsem@gmail.com on or before the 12th of March 2010. The cases should contain an introduction, case description, analysis, conclusions and suggestions or recommendations if any. It should not exceed 1500 words.

 

Venue

The College of Horticulture is situated in the main campus of Kerala Agricultural University at Vellanikkara in the Madakkathara Panchayat of Thrissur district.  It is a premier institution for higher agricultural education in the central part of Kerala established as a constituent academic institution of Kerala Agricultural University.  Ever since its inception, the College of Horticulture has been providing high quality professional education as evidenced by the consistently brilliant track record of the students in various national competitions. The college has 17 departments and four centres of excellence under it.

 

Travel, food and accommodation

The college and the University Headquarters are located at 12 km from Thrissur on Trichur - Palakkad NH 47. It is well connected by road and there is ample conveyance by way of buses. The actual fare for the travel of the participants will be reimbursed. Those who wish accommodation will be provided with standard facilities in the college hostels of College of Horticulture. Food for all times for the participants will be provided by the hosts.

 

Application form is available here (MS Word document, 24 KB) 

 

Contact Persons

Dr. Jayasree Krishnankutty

Associate Professor, Dept of Agrl. Extension

College of Horticulture and Co-ordinator

KAU P.O, Vellanikkara

 

Dr. F.M.H. Khaleel

Professor and Head, Department of Agriculture Extension

College of Horticulture, KAU P.O, Vellanikkara

 

Mob:    9895215633

            9496840184

 

Email: mhrdsem@gmail.com

Fax: +91-487-2370790