The Department of Botany, University of Kashmir (KU), Monday inaugurated a two-day international conference on “Plant Resilience in a Changing Climate: From Molecules to Ecosystem”, bringing together scientists, academicians, researchers and young scholars to deliberate on the growing challenges posed by climate change to plants, agriculture and natural ecosystems, particularly in ecologically fragile regions such as the Himalayas.
The conference, organised by the Department of Botany, KU, with academic collaboration from Penn State University, USA, is being sponsored under the Scheme for Promotion of Academic and Research Collaboration (SPARC) of the Ministry of Education, GoI and Co- sponsored by ANRF, DBT- GoI.
The conference seeks to strengthen scientific and academic collaboration and provide a platform for exchange of knowledge and emerging research on plant resilience under changing climatic conditions.
Addressing the inaugural session, KU Vice-Chancellor Prof Nilofer Khan said in her presidential remarks the impacts of climate change are becoming increasingly evident across the globe and require concerted scientific and societal responses. She said universities and research institutions have a crucial responsibility to generate knowledge that can help communities and ecosystems adapt to rapidly changing environmental conditions.
Prof Khan said " The Himalayan region, owing to its ecological sensitivity, is particularly vulnerable to climate change, making focused research on plant resilience and ecosystem stability extremely important. There is need to translate scientific knowledge into effective interventions, from seed improvement and appropriate plant cultivation to broader sustainable practices, while also strengthening national and international research collaborations."
In his special remarks Dean Research KU Prof Bashir Ahmad Ganai said climate change has implications extending beyond the natural environment and needs to be understood in its wider social and developmental context. He underlined the importance of examining changes in natural systems and environmental variations through rigorous scientific research to develop a comprehensive understanding of their consequences.
Director Central Institute of Temperate Horticulture, Srinagar, Dr Mahendra Kumar Verma, said visible changes are already occurring in the biological calendar of crops and are directly linked to changing climatic conditions.
Referring to shifts in harvesting periods and their implications for the storage life and quality of produce, he called for a change in existing approaches and practices and greater application of technology and predictive modelling to prepare agriculture and horticulture for emerging climate realities.
In his opening remarks Head, Department of Botany, KU, and Conference Convener Prof Manzoor Ahmad Shah said the conference connects plant resilience research across different levels of biological organisation, from molecules and genes to populations, communities and ecosystems. He said understanding these connections is fundamental to addressing the complexity and dynamics of climate change and developing meaningful scientific responses.
Earlier, organiser of the conference Dr Riffat John welcomed the guests and participants and outlined the objectives and broader contours of the conference. She said the event has been conceived as a platform for researchers and students to engage with experts, exchange scientific ideas and explore interdisciplinary approaches to plant resilience and climate sustainability.
The proceedings of the inaugural session were conducted by Prof Anzar A. Khuroo , Dept of Botany KU whileas Dr Neela Yennawar, Co-organiser from Penn State University, USA, proposed the vote of thanks.
The two day international conference includes keynote and invited lectures, scientific sessions, flash talks, student-scientist interactions and poster presentations, besides the valedictory and prize-distribution ceremony.
