Education

FLAME University and ICSSR Collaborate to Host National Seminar on Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Development

Leading experts, academics, and practitioners unite to discuss actionable solutions for India’s biodiversity conservation and sustainable development

India, January 10, 2025: FLAME University, in collaboration with the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR), successfully hosted the National Seminar on Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Development titled ‘Shaping the Future: Trends and Perspectives in Indian Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Development.’ This landmark seminar aimed to foster interdisciplinary dialogue on protecting India’s ecological wealth while addressing socio-economic challenges posed by climate change and urbanization. The seminar, inaugurated by Prof. M. A. Venkataramanan, Pro Vice-Chancellor of FLAME University, brought together scholars, community practitioners, NGOs, and policymakers to deliberate on practical solutions for biodiversity conservation. Sponsored by ICSSR, the event underscored the importance of uniting multiple stakeholders to balance environmental preservation with economic growth.
A Platform for Collective Action The seminar featured prominent speakers, including Prof. Dishan Kamdar, Vice-Chancellor of FLAME University, who emphasized the importance of collaboration:
A collective approach synchronizing efforts by policymakers, industry, academic institutions, and society is crucial to tackling sustainability challenges. At FLAME, we are committed to preparing our students and community to engage in thought-provoking practices that promote conservation and sustainable development in harmony with economic goals and our ecological heritage.

Keynote Address by Dr. Nitin Rai Independent researcher Dr. Nitin Rai, in his keynote address, shed light on the alienation of adivasis due to the denial of land rights. Highlighting the need for their empowerment, he stated:
Denial of land rights has alienated adivasis and excluded them from forest governance. Protected areas, once a means of conservation, are now being used to dilute environmental laws. The Forest Rights Act (FRA) presents an opportunity to devolve power to gram sabhas, giving communities the authority to govern forests effectively.

Three Engaging Panel Discussions
FLAME University the seminar’s impactful discussions were structured into three panels, each focusing on critical aspects of biodiversity conservation:
1. Forest Governance and SDGs
The first panel explored aligning forest conservation with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Key participants included:
Prof. Ashwini Chhatre, Associate Professor, Economics & Public Policy, Indian School of Business.
Ms. Meenal Tatpati, Research and Policy Associate, Women4Biodiversity.
Ms. Neema Pathak Broome, Regional Coordinator, ICCA Consortium (South Asia).
Mr. Viswadev V.S, Senior Project Officer, BAIF Development Research Foundation.
Prof. Ashwini Chhatre stressed the importance of empowering local communities:
Security of tenure accompanied by authority, discretion, and resources is the best way to align forest conservation with sustainability goals.

2. Wildlife Conservation and Management
FLAME University the second panel addressed challenges in wildlife conservation beyond protected areas. Panelists included:
Mr. Jayant Kulkarni, Director, Wildlife Research & Conservation Society.
Prof. Ajit Menon, Madras Institute of Development Studies (MIDS).
Dr. Pankaj Sekhsaria, Associate Professor, IIT-Bombay.
Mr. Arnab Bose, Independent Practitioner.
Dr. Ghazala Shahabuddin, Visiting Professor, Ashoka University. Mr. Jayant Kulkarni highlighted the need to focus on wildlife outside protected areas:
Protected areas alone cannot conserve the full range of wildlife. We need to address landscapes beyond protected zones to ensure effective conservation.

3. Indigenous Systems and Practices
The final panel focused on the integration of indigenous knowledge systems into conservation policies. Key participants included:
Dr. Asmita Kabra, Associate Researcher, Centre de Sciences Humaines (CSH).
Dr. Venkat Ramanujam, Assistant Professor, Shiv Nadar University.
Mr. Subhash Dolas, Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary.
Mr. Faisal Rehman and Mr. Mountheesh Kuttan, Keystone Foundation.
Dr. Asmita Kabra stressed the value of indigenous knowledge in biodiversity management:
Local knowledge held by community members is indispensable for effective conservation of national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and tiger reserves. Adivasi communities, who once actively governed these areas, are now underutilized as labor. Imagine the outcomes if they became equal stakeholders.
Mr. Faisal Rehman added:
The bio-cultural perspectives of indigenous communities are not only cultural assets but functional tools for modern conservation policies. It’s time to integrate them into governance frameworks.

Key Takeaways and Recommendations
The seminar concluded with actionable recommendations to:
Strengthen policy frameworks for biodiversity conservation.
Enhance community engagement in decision-making.
Foster collaboration between academia, civil society, and government institutions.
White papers and articles based on the discussions will be published post-seminar to provide evidence-based policy recommendations and actionable insights for biodiversity conservation.
Conclusion
The National Seminar on Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Development, co-hosted by FLAME University and ICSSR, emphasized the urgent need for collaboration among stakeholders to safeguard India’s biodiversity and promote sustainable development. By integrating indigenous systems, advancing policy frameworks, and fostering a collective approach, the seminar provided a roadmap for addressing India’s ecological challenges.
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