National Symposium on The Western Ghats: Biodiversity Conservation and Ecosystem Management (WGBCEM-2025) & Western Ghats Fest-2025
Coimbatore, March 6-7, 2025 – Kongunadu Arts and Science College (Autonomous), Coimbatore, in association with the Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata, and various NGOs from Coimbatore, successfully organized the National Symposium on The Western Ghats: Biodiversity Conservation and Ecosystem Management (WGBCEM-2025) and Western Ghats Fest-2025 on March 6th and 7th, 2025. The event, held at the prestigious Dr. Marappa G. Aruchami Auditorium, brought together renowned scientists, conservationists, and academicians to discuss the rich biodiversity of the Western Ghats and strategies for its conservation.
The inaugural session commenced at 10:30 AM with an invocation. The event began with the traditional lighting of the lamp by the esteemed dignitaries, symbolizing the spread of knowledge and the collective commitment to preserving biodiversity. Dr. V. Sangeetha, Principal, KASC, delivered the welcome address, setting the stage for an insightful symposium. Dr. S. Raja, Organizing Secretary, WGBCEM-2025, elaborated on the objectives of the symposium, emphasizing the need for collaborative efforts in biodiversity conservation.
The Presidential Address was delivered by Dr. C. A. Vasuki, Secretary & Director, KASC, highlighting the significance of the event in fostering research and conservation initiatives. The Secretary, in the Presidential Address, acknowledged the presence of a distinguished gathering of academicians and dedicated NGOs actively involved in the Western Ghats Fest. She emphasized the collective responsibility of reaching out to policymakers, who had graced the occasion, to advocate for the protection of the environment. She further announced that the forthcoming symposium would feature insights from the Botanical Survey of India. Expressing pride in the institution’s initiatives, she highlighted the establishment of a Tribal Centre and the wide range of certificate programs offered by the college, including Apiculture and Vermi Technology, among others. In conclusion, she urged everyone to commit to biodiversity conservation and ecosystem harmony, reinforcing the shared duty of preserving the natural world for future generations.Dr. Vasuki, emphasized the significance of the Western Ghats as a global biodiversity hotspot and called for a united approach to safeguard its rich flora and fauna. She encouraged participants to leverage research and technology to develop innovative conservation strategies.
The symposium also featured a significant milestone – the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between KASC and Chennai Snake Park, aimed at advancing research and conservation efforts.
The event also witnessed the release of books and the symposium abstract book by eminent dignitaries including Dr. C.A. Vasuki. Authors and editors of these publications were honored for their contributions to environmental research.
Following this, the gathering was addressed by Dr. S. Paulraj, IFS (Retd.), Executive Chairman, Chennai Snake Park Trust, Chennai, who felicitated the dignitaries. The Special Address was delivered by Shri. V. Thirunavukarasu, IFS, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests & Principal, Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, Coimbatore, who emphasized the importance of policy-driven conservation strategies.
The symposium featured two keynote addresses by distinguished speakers: Dr. P. S. Easa, Former Director, Kerala Forest Research Institute (KFRI), Kerala, and Dr. Deleep Kumar, IFS, Former Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (Protection), Madhya Pradesh. Their insightful discussions provided an in-depth analysis of conservation challenges and strategies for preserving the Western Ghats’ fragile ecosystem.
The first day of the symposium continued with technical sessions led by eminent resource persons:
- Session I:Avian Fauna of Western Ghats – P. Pramod, Senior Principal Scientist & Head, Division of Nature Education, Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology & Natural History (SACON), Coimbatore.
- Session II:The Western Ghats – A Hot Spot on Indian Flora – M. Murugesan, Scientist-D, Botanical Survey of India, Central National Herbarium, Howrah, Kolkata.
- Session III:Aquatic Insect Diversity of the Western Ghats and Their Conservation – K. A. Subramanian, Scientist-E & Officer In-charge, Zoological Survey of India, Southern Regional Centre, Chennai.
- Session IV:An Introduction to Coleoptera (Beetles) – V. D. Hegde, Scientist-E, Zoological Survey of India, Western Ghats Regional Centre, Kozhikode, Kerala.
This two-day symposium brought together academicians, researchers, conservationists, and students to discuss critical issues related to the biodiversity and sustainable management of the Western Ghats ecosystem.
The event featured multiple oral and paper presentation sessions across various disciplines, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches to conservation. The following venues hosted presentations:
- Zoology and Wildlife Biology– Conference Hall
- Botany– Computer Lab – I
- Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Clinical Nutrition– Computer Lab – II
- Computer Science– Computer Lab – III
- Costume Design and Fashion (CDF)– Computer Lab – IV
- Tamil– Computer Lab – V
- English– G5 Hall
- Psychology (Role of Psychologists in Forest and Environmental Management)– C50 Hall
- Online and Digital Poster Presentation– Library & Information Centre
Presentations commenced on March 6 at 2:00 PM and will be continued till March 7 from 10:00 AM onwards, featuring insightful discussions on biodiversity, conservation strategies, ecosystem management, climate change impact, and indigenous knowledge in conservation.
Alongside the symposium, the Western Ghats Fest-2025 hosted various awareness programs, exhibitions, cultural performances, and interactive stalls at Tmt. Dhanalakshmi Multipurpose Auditorium. Participants included schools, colleges, NGOs, and the general public, fostering greater community involvement in environmental conservation.
The closing ceremony will be held at Dr. Marappa G Aruchami Auditorium at 3:30 PM on March 07, 2025.
The symposium underscores the significance of the Western Ghats as a biodiversity hotspot and emphasizes collaborative efforts for its conservation. With the participation of distinguished researchers, students, and environmentalists, WGBCEM-2025 set the stage for future research and policy discussions to safeguard this ecologically vital region.
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