Preservation and Conservation of Traditional knowledge is also Important for Biodiversity & Food Security –Dr. M.S. Swaminathan
In the light of steps being taken to go for the measures of balancing economic aspects with ensuring food security as well as to maintain the biodiversity of ecosystems it will be apt if the the traditional knowledge of different seed varieties and creatures is preserved and conserved for the future. With this Dr. M.S. Swaminathan, Emeritus Chairman and Chief Mentor of M.S.Swaminathan Research Centre, Chennai today initiated the last day plenary session of 100th Indian Science Congress Here in Kolkata today. Today’s session was on “Biodiversity Conservation & Food Security” and was dedicated to former Union Food and Agriculture Minister late C. Subramanium, who also is best known as the architect of India’s modern agricultural development policy, after the success of his programme which led to a record production of wheat in 1972 an achievement appropriately termed as the Green Revolution.

The first speaker was Dr. Ashok Khosla, President of IUCN and Chairman, Development Alternatives, New Delhi. Dr. Khosla touched the issue “Secure Access to Food Needs secure and Healthy Ecosystem”. He said the issue of food security and ecosystem services is interlinked with climate change and with the sole concern of ensuring availability of food to the world population at an affordable prices which is becoming difficult due to several ecological changes as well as natural calamities. With the future projection of fall in Agricultural produce by 15- 20% by 2025 coupled with global warming due to high consumption of fossil fuels it will need a new strategy to cope with, Shri Khosla summed up.

Dr. Balkrishna Pisupati,Chairman National Biodiversity Council, Chennai spoke on the subject, “Shaping the future of India-Biodiversity Services” insisted that communities can play a vital role in preserving the Biodiversity . He referred to the new aspects of market factors and possible avenues of investment in the area of ecosystem preservation associated with the ensured availability of resources to all.

Dr. A. Damodaran, Chair Professor IPR Chair on IP Management (MHRD), IIM, Banalore spoke on “Resources Assessment for and Financing Biodiversity Conservation in India. He elaborated the basic philosophy of biodiversity financing in an emerging economy like India. He also advocated for the public financing in the area of biodiversity projects.

The Last speaker was Dr. Sachin Chaturvedi, Senior Fellow Research and Information System for Developing Countries, New Delhi dwelt on the issue of “Future of Biological Siences & Economics”. He said studies of science & economics are extremely important. Also, issues pertaining to economics and trading conditions also affect the rural poverty. In this area we require an indigenous approach. We should also make a balance in innovation priorities. Agroecology is also an important aspect , that assimilates the help from all sectors for enhanced agricultural output by using Genetic Engineering along with Agro-Ecological Engineering, he summed up.

The Session was moderated by Dr. Rammurthy, Formerly,VC, Shri Venkateswara University, Tirupati.