2nd Serb School in Avian Biology inaugurated

The 2nd Serb School in Avian Biology organised by Department of Zoology and Environmental Science, Gurukul Kangri Vishwavidyalaya University, Haridwar and sponsored by Science and Engineering research Board, Department of Science & Technology, Government of India was inaugurated on Monday.

Among those who attended were Prof Hans J Bischof, University of Bielefeld, Germany, Prof Vinod Kumar, University of Delhi, Prof Mahavir Agrawal, Vice Chancellor Uttarakhand Sanskrit Vishwavidyalaya, Haridwar, Dr Surendra Kumar, Vice Chancellor Gurukul Kangri Vishwavidyalaya, Sweety Agrawal, Senior Superintendent of Police Haridwar and Doyil TV, Member Secretary, Department of Science and Technology, Government of India.

Prof Hans J Bischof as a Chief Guest of the programme said that birds have been used as a model organism in studies spanning the entire gamut of biological research. Research on birds has often led to great theoretical and conceptual advances in ecology, behaviour, biogeography and evolution.

Prof Vinod Kumar said that birds can prove useful barometers of global change because of their high species diversity, varied requirements, response to environmental changes and relative ease of identification.

Dr Surendra Kumar said that goal of this school is to expose researchers to new and exciting ideas and directions in modern avian biology.

Prof Dinesh Bhatt, convener of the programme, said that about 1300 birds species are found on earth and out of them about 500 are found alone in India. Gurukul Kangri Vishwavidyalaya is India’s first and oldest lab doing research in the field of acoustic (song) communication. Dr Vinay Kumar Sethi informed that more than 150 research papers across the world have been received. After strict evaluation made by  the expert panel, a few will present their research papers in the seminar which will continue till 21 March.