The Department of Zoology, Assam Don Bosco University in collaboration with Zoological Society of Assam (ZSA) organized a two-day International Seminar on Climate Change: Impact and Resilience on the 27th and 28th February, 2023 as part of the Five-year celebration of the Department. The Seminar aimed at assessing current environmental conditions and encouraging discussions, research, exchange of experiences and good practices among the academia and enthusiasts, and promoting effective integration of Climate Change education into academic curricula.
The Seminar was inaugurated by the Hon’ble Vice Chancellor of Assam Don Bosco University, Rev. Fr. (Dr.) Stephen Mavely. The Guest Speakers at the inaugural session were Professor Probodh Borah, Professor and Head, Animal Biotechnology, College of Veterinary Science Assam Agricultural University and Coordinator Assam State Biotech Hub, Professor Jogen Chandra Kalita, Dean, Faculty of Life Science and Head Department of Zoology, Gauhati University; and Dr. Jaideep Baruah, Director, Assam Science Technology and Environment Council (ASTEC).
There was a total of ten Keynote Addresses delivered by experts from India and abroad. These include Prof. Indraneil Das, Prof. Ulmar Grafe, Dr. Pramod Kumar Pandey, Prof. Dandadhar Sarmah, Prof. Hilloljyoti Singha, Dr. Abhijit Das, Prof. Prasanta Kumar Saikia, Dr. Moushumi Dutta Pathak, Dr. Aniruddha Dutta Roy and Mr. Rituraj Phukan. There was also a series of three Special Talks delivered by Dr. Pranay Phukan, Mr. Rituraj Dewan, and Dr. Jayaditya Purkayastha.
There were six technical sessions for offline presentations presided over by 11 chairpersons – Prof. Jogen Chandra Kalita, Prof. Dandadhar Sarma, Dr. Bulbuli Khanikar, Dr. Mridul Borthakur, Dr. Moushumi Dutta Pathak, Prof. Parag Phukan, Dr. Mayuri Chabukdhara, Dr. Arup Hazarika, Dr. Sunayan Bordoloi, Prof. Prasanta Kumar Saikia, Dr. Rezina Ahmed; and two technical sessions for online presentations presided over by Dr. Supriyo Sen and Dr. Probin Phanjom.
The Prof. Maitreyee Das Memorial Award was presented to six Best Oral Presenters under the six sub-themes. Six participants also bagged the award of Best Presenters under the Poster Presentation category and two participants were awarded for the Best Online Presentation.
Professor Saibal Sengupta, Convener of the Seminar, highlighted in his summary the recommendations developed in the discussions, which included, 1. The need to explore solutions to climate change at local and regional levels; 2. Lack of documentation on population status and distributional range of vulnerable species and data deficient species; 3. Promote documentation of traditional and environment-friendly practices; 4. The need to identify Climate Refugees; 5. The need to further support any studies on climate change impact on ecophysiology and human environment. There was a total of 187 registered participants out of which 127 presented their research work.
The Seminar was sponsored by ASTEC, SBI, Oil India Limited, ICSSR-NER, NRL, DS Enterprise, Mergen Biologics, Assam Pollution Control Board, Assam Climate Change Management Society, Himedia, Purbanchal Scientific Company, Teksol Corporation., IKEA, ZSA, and North East Chemicals.