The Department of Zoology, Assam Don Bosco University organized a 3-day GIZ sponsored workshop on “Climate Vulnerability Assessment of the Selected Fish Species in Northeast India” from 28^th February to 1^st March 2024.

A total of 35 participants from Assam (10), Meghalaya (10), Manipur (5), Nagaland (4), West Bengal (1), and Zoological Survey of India Kolkata (3) including 3 experts took part in the Workshop discussing about various parameters for assessment of Climate vulnerability and how to develop a model for a better prediction and strategies for mitigation.

The Workshop covered the following themes

• Theory of fish biogeography, species distribution modeling, and vulnerability assessment.
• A broad overview of the main factors affecting fish species occurrence at regional scales.
• Hands on tools for collecting and preparing fish data for species distribution modeling.
• Methods to identify important habitat variables & Basic modeling approaches to identify suitable climate and habitat.
• An ability to predict potential habitat losses due to climate change (sensitivity).
• An understanding of adaptive capacity, including species and human-mediated aspects.

Dr. Tyrell DeWeber, Team leader and Workshop coordinator, from Potsdam Institute of Inland Fisheries, Sacros, Germany discussed and illustrated the theory and practice, about various software applications and tools on Climate vulnerability assessment required for assessing the three selected fish species from various parts of Northeastern India.

Dr. Lalit Kumar Sharma, Scientist E, Zoological Survey of India spoke about the species distribution modeling theory, advanced species distribution modeling, limitations of species distribution models for vulnerability assessment and the importance of adaptive capacity. Dr. Yumnam Lokeshwor Singh, Associate Professor and Coordinator of the workshop (ADBU), the Department of Zoology, Assam Don Bosco University gave a lecture on how to measure habitat variables in the field and the process of habitat inventory of streams and rivers.

The workshop was organized to train researchers, scientists, and students from the Northeast India on assessing the vulnerability of fish species to climate change through theory and hands-on exercises for learning methods. The Vice Chancellor Rev. Fr (Dr.) Jose Palely, mentioned about the significance of this workshop and the expectation of more collaborative works with Zoological Survey of India and Potsdam Institute of Inland Fisheries, Germany for a productive conservational strategies to protect and understand the vulnerability of rivers and streams in Northeast India. He also highlighted about setting up of a research hub and providing the soft skills training of the youth of the Northeast India with collaborative institution as this field of research area is new to this area. The Workshop was concluded with a grand musical performance organized by student members of Don Bosco University Music Club at the Centurial Block auditorium of the University.