The 59th Annual Meeting of the Association of Tropical Biology Conservation (ATBC)
The 59th Annual Meeting of the Association of Tropical Biology Conservation (ATBC) kickstarted at the Kumaraguru Institutions Coimbatore during the 02-06 July 2023.
The event is hosted by Indian Regional Association for Landscape Ecology (IRALE) and Kumaraguru Institutions (KI) with the support of the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON), Indian Institution of Science, Education and Research (IISER) Bhopal, OSAI Conservation NGO, and Government Arts & Science College, Ooty.
Under the broad theme of “Balancing Science, Conservation, and Society”, ATBC 2023 discussed issues on terrestrial, Marine, and Coastal landscapes focusing on forested, Agricultural, and social systems, Climate change, and One health approach. The 59th annual meeting was a congregation of professionals, students, researchers, educators, and conservationists featuring diverse programs such as Symposia, Workshops, Poster presentations, Cultural performances, a Technology pavilion, Mission LiFE pavilion, and City tours.
Approximately 200+ international delegates from 12 countries and 300+ Indian delegates with large pool of young professionals and students will taketook part in the meeting. Interspersed with inspirational keynote speakers on global and regional issues, ATBC 2023 also featured two side events on
(1) Corporates for Conservation: prioritizing nature-based actions, and
(2) Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve for Neighbourhood and Beyond: Connecting People for Climate Resilient Future.
Tropical ecosystems are critical hotspots of biodiversity and play a crucial role in maintaining global climate stability. By bringing together a diverse range of stakeholders, the meeting will facilitate the exchange of knowledge and ideas that can contribute to informed decision-making, policy formulation, and conservation implementation both locally and globally.
During his welcome address by Shri Shankar Vanavarayar, President, Kumaraguru Institutions, stressed upon the coexistence and how we could take the planet forward. Here is the transcript of his speech:
“India is home for a billion people, many languages and limitless communities and cultures. But it is home for 91000 animal species and 45000 plant species. The way we have grown, may be, we have allowed ourselves to put pressure on them. But now time has come when India calling out to say we have to have a different future where man, animal, flora and fauna will survive coexist and thrive.”
“This is the culture that celebrates environment and nature and everything around us and we remind ourselves that we too are part of this planet. This conference is coming at a time when the world is calling out many worries.”
“This time this city should have been much cooler but it’s certainly warm. The rain has not comeand yet and farmers are worried. This also means that other concerns that this country has which are economic, social and psychological in nature. all three things relate to what is happening in the nature. And this conference is the one I see discuss some of these aspects.”
During the opening address by Dr. Ramesh Krishnamurthy, Chair – ATBC 2023/ ATBC Asia Pacific Chapter, he stressed on the diversity that ATBC has brought about in this event:
Excerpts from his speech: “We have been doing lot of events in metropolitan cities. We were very particular about having the conference outside metropolitan cities and that’s how the idea of bringing the conference to Coimbatore materialised.”
“ATBC 2023 has the distinction of not just having science and conservation but also promoting, diversity, equity and inclusiveness. Starting from our plenary speakers, Scientific council and participants, there is equal participation of men and women, young professional or experienced people.
It speaks a lot about ATBC and what it wants to bring to the table and wants to communicate to the world. We are proud to have participants from 35 countries but at the same time, the underrepresentation from the African countries needs to be introspected. When we reviewed the presentation, we observed that new concepts have emerged. In addition to traditional way of looking at biodiversity population management, we started seeing climate change research, one health approach which are emerging. There is great diversity when it comes to content.”
In her address by ATBC President-Past Dr. Beth Kaplin, Biodiversity Conservation Scientist, Director Centre of Excellence, Biodiversity and Natural Resource Management, University of Ruwanda: “ATBS started mainly with the focus on North America and European Researchers. With climate change, biodiversity crisis and extreme impacts of pollution, it is the time for us to take science and bring back behavioural change and work with people to reconnect with nature. Although it is a troubling and disturbing time but it is also time for innovation and really a challenge for us to see what can we do to bring in a difference.”
The Guest of Honour Mr. Virendra R. Tiwari, IFS, Director, Wildlife Institute of India in his address said he was happy to have had this Coimbatore given its eminence as an educational hub:
“More than 25 percent of the faculty members in Wildlife Institute of India are from Tamil Nadu. Tamil Nadu is industrially developed among other states but there are many educational institutions. Glad to find representatives from 35 countries and the young generation from all over the country at ATBC 2023.”
“As the director of WII and supporting organisation of ATBC 2023, when I first discovered that the event is organised in Coimbatore, I realised the opportunity to host and engage with the brightest mind. This is the momentous occasion for our country’s conservation efforts. We have an exceptional opportunity to showcase our commitment and foster collaboration and knowledge exchange.”
“I have experienced the crucial need to find a balance between scientific endeavours and need and aspiration of the society. We must understand that Conservation challenges cannot be tackled in isolation but rather demand collaboration. Synergy and inclusive approach that embraces the interest and wellbeing of local communities.”
“The theme of this year’s conference – balancing science, conservation and society, resonates deeply with the core principals, values we uphold at WII. At ATBC 2023, provide unique opportunity for all of us to come together, share our knowledge and experience and explore novel approaches to address the challenges in conservation.”
Dr. Norbert Cordeiro, Roosevelt University, USA. Dr. Tuyeni Mwampamba, National Autonomous University, Mexico, Dr Ruchi Badola, Dean, Wildlife Institute of India also addressed during the event.
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