ENVIS

International seminar on Ecotechnology and Sustainable Development, Ecotech 2004 was inaugurated by Prof. S.Z. Qasim. Vice Chairman Society for Indian Ocean Studies, New Delhi. The 1st session started on 4th October after the Inaugural Function. A total of 85 research papers were presented by various scientific organisation form within India & abroad in 14 sessions with 12 International reputed scientists delivering invited lectures. The first plenary lecture was delivered by Prof. P. Chris Reid, Director, and Sir Alister Hardy Foundation for Ocean Sciences Laboratory, Plymouth, U.K. He spoke on Plank tonic biodiversity and environmental indicators - evidence from continuous plankton recorder survey. Six papers were presented on biodiversity especially microbial biodiversity. Suggestions were made to do a continuous monitoring of Phyto and Zooplankton for a year.

In the second session Dr. Dinabandhu Sahoo, Professor, Marine Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Botany, University of Delhi spoke on creating a millions jobs - A mission towards blue revolution, where he emphasized the importance of seaweeds their cultivation and job opportunities it offers. Dr. T.J. Pandian, National Professor, school of Biological Sciences, Madurai Kamaraj University, spoke on Bioresources and Genome Conservation. Four papers were presented in this session.

In third session Dr. P. Dayanandan, Professor Emeritus, Dept of Plant Biology and Biotechnology, Madras Christian College, Chennai delivered the plenary lecture on Environmental Challenge - Past, Present and Future. Three Papers were presented in this session.

Day two started with first session. The plenary lecture was delivered by Prof. N. Rajendran of Yokohama National University, Japan. He spoke on New Trends in Environment Management - A molecular approach and discussed about bioremediation at the genic level. Eight Papers were presented on Bioremediation and development of sustainable technologies.

In the second session Dr. Steinberg form Germany delivered the Plenary Lecture. He elaborated on today's status, impact and methods of biomedical waste management. Two Papers were presented in this session. In the III session of day two Dr S.A. Ismail, Soil biologist and Ecologist, Professor and Head, Dept. of Biotechnology, the New College spoke on Waste Management or Resource Management - An Indian Earthworm's eye view, emphasizing on applications of Vermitechnology. Four papers were presented in this session.

In the last session Dr. S.A. Abbasi, senior Professor and Director, Center for Pollution Control and Energy Technology, Pondicherry University, Pondicherry delivered the plenary lecture. He highlighted on the environmental impact of renewable energy sources. Six papers were presented in the session. In the parallel session conducted at NCIM Hall, there were 27 papers presented on diversified fields of biodiversity, Microbes of Environment and detoxification mechanisms by the herbal means.

On 3rd day, in the 1st session the plenary lecture was delivered by Prof. R.K.Trivedy, Reader, Dept. of Pollution studies, Y.C. College of Science, Karad who spoke on Aquatic Plants Ecotechnology for Environmental Management involving Root Zone technology and its application. The second plenary lecture was delivered by Dr. Sher Ali, Staff Scientist and Chief, Molecular Genetics Laboratory, National Institute of Immunology, New Delhi. He explained the dynamics of genome analysis and its possible use in monitoring the impact of Ecotechnology for sustainable development. Five papers were presented in this session. In 2nd session, Dr. S. P.S. Kushawaha, Professor and Head, Forestry and Ecology Division, Indian Institute of Remote Sensing, spoke on Geospatial Technology for Environment planning and Management. Professor Arif Ali, Co-coordinator, Biotechnology Programme, Dept. of Bioscience, Jamia Milia Islamia, New Delhi spoke on Bioremediation through Bacterial enzymes. Eight papers were presented. In the final session of day three, 6 papers were presented. To conclude, the International Seminar Eco-tech 2004 served the purpose, covering the various themes and thus making it a successful one.

Felicitation address by Prof. S.P. Thyagarajan

Professor S.P. Thyagarajan in his felicitation address congratulated the organizing committee and secretary Dr. S. Dawood Sharief in taking efforts to consolidate 12 National and International Scientist to assemble at one place to disseminate knowledge on Ecotechnology to student, researchers and scientist. Further he said that The New College has created a history by conducting workshops, national seminars on Eco-technology in their campus which is worth mentioning because, we are in the thresh hold of the "Environment Millennium".

He emphasized that the knowledge gained should not be procured but it should also be practiced and put to use so that nature's loss should be regained by this kind of seminars/Conference and workshops. He congratulates the Management of New College for their encouragement and also praised the National and International Scientist for the whole hearted support, inculcating knowledge, because knowledge is power. He distributed the Best award to Dr. Bhakiyathu Saliha and Maloy Sahu.