The National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS), Bengaluru, signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with Research & Training Organizations of Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change (MoEFCC), GoI- Indian Council of Forestry and Research and Education (ICFRE), Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy (IGFNA), Central Academy for State Forestry Service (CASFOS) and Institute of Forest Genetics and Tree Breeding (IFGTB), as a step towards building partnership for research and education on biodiversity and conservation.
Through these MoUs, the institutes aim to jointly contribute to research, education, and training in the fields of forest genomics and functional studies on ecosystem function and services and conservation. Specific activities include faculty exchange programs, joint courses on conservation genetics/genomics and restoration biology to Indian Forest Service (IFS) probation and mid-career officers, and their internship at NCBS-TIFR and its partner institutes; short-term training programs, workshops and conferences, joint supervision of MSc projects, joint PhD students etc.
The meeting was attended by Shri. A. S. Rawat (Director General, ICFRE), Shri. Bharat Jyoti (Director, IGNFA), Shri. Anurag Bhardwaj (Director, Forest Education), Dr. Kunikannan,(Director, IFGTB), Shri. Raghu Prasad (Inspector General Forest, MoEFCC), Dr. Rajesh Sharma (Assistant Director General (External Project)), Dr. K. Anandh (Chief Conservator and Lecturer, CASFOS) Prof K VijayRaghavan, (former Director NCBS-TIFR/ former Secretary DBT, GoI/former Principal Scientific Advisor to GoI) and Prof. Jayaram Chengalur (Director TIFR-Mumbai) also graced the event.
The signing of MoUs was followed by a brainstorming session attended by eminent field biologists and wildlife researchers, to discuss joint programs, to define a few immediate action plans and to identify potential collaborative groups.
"There is a great need for field biologists and forestry management officials to come together to exchange ideas, knowledge and expertise and work towards finding solutions to protect and conserve biodiversity" .
-A.S. Rawat Director General, ICFRE
"We are delighted to sign MoUs with premiere forest research and education institutes of the country. This will go a long way for NCBS-TIFR to contribute to India's efforts in conserving and expanding its biodiversity. When integrated, both our interdisciplinary research in the foundational areas of ecology, evolution, genomics, etc. and the vast field experience of forest institutes are expected to make a bigger impact".
-Prof. Shashidhara, Director, NCBS-TIFR
“NCBS and Forest Research and Training Organizations of MoEFCC coming together through this MoU will open new vistas of collaborative research, capacity building, and training, knowledge exchange in forestry and ecological research to address climate change challenges and ideate environmental interventions. This MoU will help researchers at NCBS to work in synergy with ICFRE institutes and IGNFA-CASFOS training academies which will provide opportunities to build bridges linking research pursuits in NCBS with the endeavors of MoEFCC organizations in the fields of environmental protection, ecological restoration, and biodiversity conservation-all crucial for sustainable development”.
-Shri Bharat Jyoti, Director, IGNFA
“ICFRE-IFGTB and NCBS signed a MoU to work together in areas of common interest in the field of genetics, forest genetic resources, biotechnology, forest ecology, climate change, silviculture and forest protection. Hope this MoU will make far reaching changes for understanding various forest ecosystems”.
-Dr. Kunikannan, Direct
Prof. L.S. Shashidhara (Director, NCBS) with Shri. A.S. Rawat (Director General, ICFRE) and after signing the MoU. Photo credit: NCBS-TIFR
Prof. L.S. Shashidhara (Director, NCBS) and Prof. Jayaram Chengalur (Director, TIFR-Mumbai) with Shri. Bharat Goyal (Director, IGNFA) after signing the MoU. Photo credit: NCBS-TIFR
Prof. L.S.Shashidhara (Director, NCBS) and Prof. Jayaram Chengalur (Director TIFR-Mumbai) with Dr. Kunikannan, (Director, IFGTB) and after signing the MoU. Photo credit: NCBS-TIF
0 Comments