Shillong, Aug 7: The two-day international conference on ‘Sustainability, Biodiversity and Conservation: Implications for Livelihood and Community Development’, held in Shillong College, came to a close today with the call for new commitment towards conservation of nature, renewed responsible stewardship and stronger interface between the community, academics, government and other stakeholders for ensuring all round sustainable development.
The conference was jointly organised by the college’s Department of Zoology and Environmental Sciences in collaboration with the Zoological Survey of India, North East Circle, IQAC Shillong College and Meghalaya Biodiversity Board.
The conference saw more than 86 papers presented in three technical sessions that proceeded simultaneously by research scholars from different city institutions and other states.
Resource persons hailed from the UK, Namibia, Dehradun, Meghalaya Basin Development Board, NEHU and Pondicherry. A session on the Biological Diversity Act 2002 and its link to preserving the traditional knowledge heritage of Meghalaya was presented by the Meghalaya Biodiversity Board.
A panel discussion on the topic ‘Balancing Conservation and Commerce: Sustainable Tourism for Meghalaya’s Biodiversity’ was held in which the speakers were of the view that there must be a restraint on the commercialisation of tourism here as the main unique selling point (USP) of the state is its scenic beauty, waterfalls and rivers.
The valedictory session was attended by the Deputy Commissioner of East Khasi Hills, Abhilash Baranwal.
