Excelsior Correspondent
RAJOURI, Mar 8: Two days national seminar on Ethnobotany and Traditional Knowledge in Biodiversity conservation, being organized by the Department of Botany, School of Biosciences and Biotechnology, BGSB University Rajouri, began here today.
The programme is witnessing participation of Academicians, scientists and young researchers from various Universities and institutes from within and outside the State.
The prominent being Delhi University, CSIR – Institute of Himalayan Bioresources and Technology, Palampur, University of Kashmir, Sher-e- Kashmir University of Agricultural Science and Technology, Jammu (SKUAST-J) and University of Jammu.
Inaugurating the seminar, Professor Javed Musarrat, Vice Chancellor of BGSBU, deliberated upon the importance of Ethnobotany and Traditional Knowledge in human welfare and how it holds great significance in the modern times.
In his key note address, Professor R N Gohil from FNASc. gave a very elaborated note of the importance of Ethnobotany and Traditional Knowledge. He explained how this knowledge must have been acquired by the man when he settled from hunter and nomad to a civilized being.
Professor Iqbal Parwez, Dean Academic Affairs of BGSBU, highlighted the contribution of Vice Chancellor and Faculty to make BGSBU a hub of research and Modern Education.
Dr Shreekar Pant, Organizing Secretary of the seminar, explained very vividly the inheritance of Ethnobotany and Traditional Knowledge. Dr Susheel Verma, Head Department of Botany BGSBU proposed a vote of thanks.
The prominent speakers of the seminar were Dr Brij Lal, CSIR IHBT; O P Sharma Additional PCCF, JK Govt; Professor Yash Pal Sharma, former Head, Department of Botany; University of Jammu; Dr Anzar Khuroo, University of Kashmir and Dr P L Uniyal, Delhi University.
During the inaugural function, souvenir and abstract book of the seminar and training manuals for vermicomposting and floriculture prepared under DBT funded project on socioeconomic upliftment of rural women of Dhanore region sanctioned to Dr Shreekar Pant and Dr Susheel Verma were released. The seminar is being organized with the support of Indian Council of Social Science Research and WWF India. Dr Mamta Bhat conducted proceedings of the programme.