The Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST), Awantipora will be part of the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) global project on reassessment of World Swallowtail Butterflies.
A statement issued by the varsity said the project is beingundertaken by the Butterfly Specialist Group of IUCN. Among others things thefocus of the project will be on distribution, population status, ecology andhabitat, threats and conservation interventions of these magnificent species.Established in 1948, the IUCN is world’s largest and most diverse environmentalnetwork which works for human progress, economic development and natureconservation at global level.
“The mission of IUCN is to Influence, encourage and assistsocieties throughout the world to conserve the integrity and diversity ofnature and to ensure that any use of natural resources is equitable andecologically sustainable,” the statement said.
From IUST, Dr Aijaz Ahmad Qureshi, Research Officer, MantaqiCentre for Science and Society is coordinating with the IUCN. “The project willbe an important platform for documentation, conservation and monitoring of thebutterfly biodiversity of Jammu and Kashmir on long term basis,” the statementsaid.
It said the project will facilitate IUST to be part ofactivities in framing policies, methods and necessary interventions forconservation and management processes of butterflies at global level. Theuniversity fraternity particularly Vice Chancellor Prof Mushtaq Ahmad Siddiqihas congratulated Dr Aijaz for the achievement.