Puducherry to host fourth Indian Biodiversity Congress

: The fourth edition of the Indian Biodiversity Congress (IBC 2017) & Expo will get underway in Puducherry on March 10.
The biennial event is organised by the Centre for Innovation in Science and Social Action here, in association with Pondicherry University, Department of Science, Technology and Environment of the Government of Puducherry and Forests & Wild Life Department, Government of Puducherry, besides various governmental and Non-Governmental Organisations.
The four-day event will have as its focal theme, "Climate Change and Biodiversity" this year, organisers said in a release.
The Indian Biodiversity Congress is the largest biennial get together of scientists,conservationists,environmentalists, civil society groups and local communities in India to review the status, trends, challenges and opportunities for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity.

Speakers of international and national repute would address the gathering over four days of the mega event, it said.
Prof Anisa Basheer Khan, Vice-Chancellor, Pondicherry University (Officiating) is the Chairperson of IBC 2017.

Apart from the focal theme, IBC 2017 will also have 12 other sub-themes.
Besides, IBC 2017 would consist of a National seminar, Biodiversity Expo, Civil Society Meet, Children's Conclave on Biodiversity, National Photography Competition and Documentary Film festival, it said.
According to Dr P N Krishnan, Emeritus scientist, Malabar Botanical Gardens, Kozhikode, and Secretary General, IBC 2017, "the Indian Biodiversity Congress 2017 would include keynote addresses, plenary lectures and oral/poster presentations.

The focal theme will have only invited presentations and panel discussion by experts.
Meanwhile, papers can be submitted for all the other themes, it said, adding Best Presentation Award will be given under each theme.
IBC has now become a regular biennial event in India since 2010 with an array of programmes attached to it, including seminars, exhibition, workshops,national photography exhibition, civil society meet, documentary film festival and Children's Biodiversity Conclave, besides a series of satellite and side events, the release added.