On 15th September, the students of Salesian College of Higher Education, Dimapur, engaged in a thought-provoking talk and interaction with a team of scientists from the Zoological Survey of India, under the ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Govt. of India, led by Dr. Suresh Chandra, Dr. Santosh Kumar, and Dr. Kubendran. This event focused on the significant topic of biodiversity hotspots or biogeographic zones in India and the changes due to climatic change in the last few decades. Dr. Chandra highlighted the ten biodiversity divisions in India, emphasizing the crucial centers for study in Northeast India, such as Itanagar, Arunachal, and Shillong, Meghalaya. The talk aimed to address the impact of climate change on India’s flora and fauna, with a particular focus on Nagaland.
The team has been actively visiting various districts, including Mon, Longleng, Tuensang, and Dimapur, to gather valuable insights through study of flora and fauna. Dr. Kubendran shared fascinating details about the role of insects as life indicators and their significance in determining water quality. Meanwhile, Dr. Santosh Kumar delved into the world of microbes, particularly those residing in water. The previous day was dedicated to exploring the campus’s diverse insect, plant, and microbial life. The key takeaways of the seminar was to understand the importance of biodiversity hotspots, to recognize the role of insects and microbes in environmental health, and to consider the effects of climate change on local ecosystems. The meeting ended with a decision to enter into collaborative studies between the two institutes.