Srinagar, Nov 21: Minister for Forests and Environment Mian Altaf Ahmad Wednesday stressed on the need for a larger collaboration between academic and research institutions and other government agencies in Jammu and Kashmir for effective and judicious implementation of different schemes aimed at preserving the rich faunal diversity of the state.
Speaking at the valedictory function of a three-day national-level seminar “Science for shaping the future of India: faunal diversity-challenges and opportunities” at the University of Kashmir, Altaf said: “It is for sure that the delegates, scholars and scientists who have come from different corners of the country to attend this seminar and the participants from the Valley are concerned about the preservation of state’s rich faunal diversity. While they must have made some valuable suggestions on the issue in their research papers, there is a need for a close collaboration and synergy between the organizers and experts and officials of our ministry to ponder over the issue and implement the recommendations to achieve the desired results.”
The seminar was organized by the varsity’s Department of Zoology in collaboration with the Indian Science Congress Association (ISCA).
“There is always a scope for improvement and the best possible way to find solutions to serious problems concerning our environment and ecology is to carefully deliberate and discuss the recommendations and research papers at various levels of governance and administration through mutual sharing of ideas and thoughts,” Altaf said.
Altaf said, “Our Ministry would definitely sit with the organizers to see how various recommendations presented by experts and scientists from various parts of the country could be adapted for improving the overall mechanism governing preservation of biodiversity of the region. I am sure this seminar would show us a way where collaboration between various academic research institutions and various field agencies and government departments working for the preservation and maintenance of natural habitat and faunal diversity could be made more effective and result-oriented.”
Altaf said human population explosion and the decline in wildlife fauna and flora is a global problem and rapid technological development made by man has resulted in irreparable loss to wildlife. He said therefore under such conditions scientific research on environment ecology and management assumes significance for the formulation of strategies and comprehensive management for conservation of plants and wildlife and faunal diversity.
The KU Vice-Chancellor Prof Talat Ahmad said: “It is great to see the participation of people from almost all corners of the country in this seminar which shows that ours is a conscious society which is concerned about the preservation of the rich biodiversity of the region.”  “The recommendations at present level could be implemented at state level and if they prove beneficial then these could be extended
at national level for the overall improvement of the faunal diversity of the country.”
Talat said the University is looking forward to organize more such seminars in future which provides an opportunity for cross fertilization of ideas and thoughts between scholars and scientists
Earlier Dean Biological Sciences and Director of the Seminar Prof G. Mustafa Shah while presenting the report and recommendations of the seminar, said that around 133 research papers were presented in its various technical sessions
Prof Shah said recommendations would be presented to the relevant quarters both in government and non-government sectors for consideration.
Organizing secretary of the Seminar Prof Ulfat Jan presented vote of thanks whereas Dr. MK Chakrabarti general Secretary (ISCA) Kolkatta, Dr Ashok Kumar Saxena, executive member ICSA and MK Jyoti also presented their views.

Lastupdate on : Wed, 21 Nov 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 21 Nov 2012 18:30:00 GMT
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