A two-day National Conference on “Plants and Microbial Biodiversity, Present Scenario, Threats and Conservation Strategies” was inaugurated by the eminent scientist Dr. K.K. Bhutani, Director, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research at the Botany Department, Panjab University, Chandigarh. During his inaugural key note address, he highlighted the role of Microbes and plants in day to day life and stressed upon their conservation. His talk was very interactive and fruitful.
The Dean University Instructions, Prof. B.S. Brar presided over the inaugural session. He suggested that use of natural resources in a sustainable manner for better future. Prof. C. Manoharachary Emeritus Professor, Osmania University, Hyderabad dealt with the “Biodiversity a Bioprospecting of microbes, fungi and plants”.
He highlighted the contribution of wild biodiversity to the existence of human society and its role in clean up of environment through bioremediation. He cautioned the audience about the shrinking forest cover and wetlands and advised the ex-situ and in-situ conservation of these for protecting the biodiversity. Prof. S.K. Bhatnagar, Professor and Head Department of Cell Biology, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Meerut spoke about Charophycean biodiversity. He elaborated the importance of kinetochore differentiation through Geimsa C-banding as a tool for Charophycean Biodiversity.
Prof. N.S. Atri, Head Department of Botany, Punjabi University, Patiala highlighted the importance of medicinal mushrooms in the modern society and its benefit in general for the human beings. Prof. S.P. Khullar enlightened the audience about the Himalayan fern flora and the need to conserve it. In the afternoon session, the delegates also displayed their posters on diverse topics of microbial and plant biodiversity for evaluation by experts. Prof. A.S. Ahluwalia appreciated the gathering, brief about the department and research activities. Prof. I.B. Prasher thanked the audience for attending the seminar on the first day for making it an overwhelming success.