Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST), Awantipora has got a major project from department of Science and technology, government of India to study the impact of climate change on biodiversity of Kashmir Himalayan Region.
The project titled “Understanding the biodiversity ofOdonata (Class Insecta) of Kashmir Himalayan Region with reference to ClimateChange” has been sanctioned up to the tune of Rs.58.38 lakhs.
Dr. Aijaz Ahmad Qureshi, Research Officer of Mantaqi Centrefor Science and Society (MCSS) is the principal investigator and Prof. Fozia S.Qazi in-charge MCSS is Co-Principal Investigator of the project.
The project is part of climate change programme (CCP),National Mission on Sustaining Himalayan Ecosystem (NMSHE), an ambitiousprogramme of department of science and technology (DST), government of India,to focus on various sectors including biodiversity conservation and protectionof Indian Himalayan region.
The project being first of its kind from Kashmir Himalayanregion will be using insects as model taxon to predict effects of climatechange on biodiversity using Odonata (dragonflies & damselflies) asindicator species.
“The project will also focus on studying the taxonomy,diversity, distribution, ecology, status, conservation aspects, capacitybuilding and long-term monitoring of Odonata with reference to climate changein Kashmir Himalayan Region,” the spokesman of the varsity said.