The department of Life sciences had organized a one day seminar on “Emerging trends in Taxonomy: Flora, Fauna and Microbes” on 20th February, 2020. Taxonomy is the science of the description and classification of organism essential to the inventory of life on earth. It is very important to know the living organisms around us and careful and accurate identification and classification are of vital importance. Without taxonomy nobody would be sure of the identity of organisms. Taxonomy is essential in theoretical and applied biology like agriculture and forestry, biological control, public health, wild life management, mineral prospecting through the datation of rocks by their enclosed flora, fauna and microbes, national defense, environmental problems, soil fertility and commerce. Taxonomy is now in at one important cross-road in its long history and we must decide to go into one direction or another. New approaches have emerged and technological progress is demanding. We must focus our efforts convincing about the importance of taxonomy as a basic science for understanding our lives and the skeleton of hundreds of disciplines. And phylogenetic, DNA progress, the web, the new statistic methods should be the tools to support taxonomy.
The vital aim of the seminar was to bring together academicians, researchers and experts from different parts of the country to exchange knowledge and ideas. It provided an in depth analysis of subjects and updated the knowledge of the participants from taxonomy experts. It also gave a platform to the young scientists and researchers to contribute their ideas to this field.
Total number of participant for this seminar was 106. The seminar was started with inaugural function. The seminar was inaugurated by Hon’ble Prof. Dr.Vinay M. Raole, Professor Department of Botany, The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Vadodara as a guest of honour. The Chairperson was Prof. Dr. Shivajirao Kadam,Hon’ble Chancellor, Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed to be University. Delegate participants, all head of the departments, staff members were present for the inaugural function. A tribute to Respected Founder Dr.Patangrao Kadam was paid at the outset. In charge Principal Dr. S. R. Patil gave the welcome speech. Dr.Mrs. Sushama S. Pawar briefed the theme of the seminar and introduced the chief guest. Felicitation of guest was done by Incharge Principal Rd. S. R. Patil. In the key note address Prof.Dr. Vinay M. Raole talked on ‘Ethanobotany’. He discussed on diversity of plants, relative cultural importance, methodology for economic, social and ecological values of medicinal plants and role of tribal people. He highlighted innovative approach, intracultural variations, commercial valuations and Jungle ka Khana Khajana. Vote of thanks was proposed by Mrs. R. S. Chavan and anchoring was done by Dr.A.A. Jape.
The second session was started with the speech of Dr.Varad Giri, Founder-Director, NIDUS, Reconnection people to nature through theme based programmes, workshops and talks. He shared his knowledge on basic taxonomy of animals, importance of taxonomy especially of amphibians and reptiles. His style of presentation was highly appreciated by the students. He also introduced newly found species of lizards by him to the audience which was highlight of his talk.
For post lunch session i.e. third session, resource person was Dr.Kamlesh Jangid, Scientist ‘D’National Centre for Microbial Resource, NCCS, Pune. He emphasized the emerging trends in microbial taxonomy. He discussed classification, nomenclature and identification of prokaryotes. Also, elaborates LPSN, validity publications, ribosomal protein in microbial identification.
The last session was started with the speech of well-known taxonomist in Botany, Prof. Dr. S.R. Yadav, Department of Botany, Shivaji University, Kolhapur. He discussed and shared the knowledge about plant taxonomy particularly of western ghat. His expertise and presentation was informative for emerging taxonomists. Seminar was concluded by the valedictory function.
For the Valedictory function, Chief Guest was Prof. Dr. S.R. Yadav, Department of Botany, Shivaji University, Kolhapur. Incharge Principal Dr.S.R.Patil gave the address speech. Organizing Secretary Dr. Mrs. Sushama S. Pawar presented concluding remark of the seminar. Some of the participants expressed their views about the seminar. Chairperson Dr. S.R.Yadav gave guidance to the delegates. Certificates were distributed to the delegates and participants. Vote of thanks was proposed by Co-ConvenorDr.S.G.Pawar.
Overall, it was a knowledgeable event and all participants made it a grand success!!!
-Report by Dr. Mrs. Sushama S. Pawar.