One Day Seminar on “Innovative Scientific Approaches for a Sustainable Environment” was organized on 14th March ’2017 by Telangana Academy of Sciences in association with Faculty of Life sciences , St. Pious X Degree & PG College for Women. The objective of the seminar was to familiarize the young students about the recent significant discoveries and the thrust areas of research in the field of Environmental sciences. The seminar provided a forum to address the contemporary issues on environment and inculcated a strategic awareness and consciousness that helps in the sustenance of the environment and society.
The response to the seminar was encouraging. Altogether 100 participants from 10 different colleges/Institutions from twin cities (St.Ann’s College, Bhavans New Science College, Loyala Academy, Jahnavi Degree College, Arts College, Little Flower Degree College, Osmania University, Vasundhara Degree College, Sai Sudhir Degree College) attended the seminar.
The seminar was formally inaugurated by lighting of the lamp by the Chief guest Prof.S.Ramachandram, Vice Chancellor, Osmania University, Guest of Honour, Prof. Katta Narasimha Reddy, Honorary Secretary, Telangana Academy of sciences, Prof. D.Suresh Babu, Coordinator, Hyderabad Regional Centre, Telangana Academy of Sciences. Dr. C. P. Vardhini, Hyderabad District Coordinatior I , Telangana Academy of sciences, Principal, Vice Principal, and Dr. K. Vindhya Vasini Roy, Coordinator Faculty of Life Sciences.
Principal gave a brief profile of the College. Significance of the seminar was delivered by Prof. D.Suresh Babu, Coordinator, Hyderabad Regional Centre, Telangana Academy of Sciences.
Prof. Ramachandram congratulated the organizers for choosing a sensible theme and also highlighted the adverse effects of modern technology on the environment and emphasized that the scientific community should make an effort to find sustainable solutions.
Prof. Katta Narasimha Reddy, Guest Of Honour, Hon Secretary, TAS. Highlighted the work done by Telangana Academy of Sciences in the rural areas. He shared the idea of collaborative work and the role of different colleges/institutions towards sustenance of environment.
The Keynote Address was delivered by Prof. K. Purushotham Reddy, Environmentalist, Developmental Activist and Political Scientist. His message began with the eight social issues like poverty, gender equality, women exploitation, Hunger, etc and how important it is to develop the cities into Liveable cities and not Smart cities. Through his lecture he also encouraged the students to read about world commission report and one straw revolution.
The guest speakers for the one day seminar were Mr. P. Bakka Reddy, Executive Director, Jeedimetla Effluent Treatment limited, Hyderabad, Dr. S. Venkata Mohan, Principal Scientist, IICT, Indian institute of Chemical Technology, Dr. Suneela Motati, Scientist and Envis Coordinator Environment Protection Training And Research Institute (EPTRI). Dr Sai Ram Reddy, Prof. in Biotechniology, Agri Biotech Foundation, Hyd.
Bakka Reddy, Executive Director, Jeedimetla Effluent Treatment limited, Hyderabad, addressed the gathering on the Role of Common Effluent Treatment Plant and integrated waste water management strategies for sustainable development and control of pollution.
Dr. S. Venkata Mohan, Principal Scientist, IICT , Indian Institute of Chemical Technology shared the knowledge of changing prospectus of waste to energy pertaining to the Indian context, transition from linear to circular bio-economy addressing the sustainability using waste as resource for bio hydrogen production and microbial electrochemical system as chemical as platform technology for the sustainable environment.
Dr. Suneela Motati, Scientist and Envis Coordinator Environment Protection Training And Research Institute (EPTRI), in her presentation focused on concepts, sources, effect of air pollution, prevention and control of pollution, integrated function of state and central pollution control board, air quality monitoring programmers, significance of sustainable development goal and to come up with sustainable solution with real time monitoring as the need of the hour.
Dr Sai Ram Reddy, Prof. in Biotechniology, Agri Biotech Foundation, Hyd in his presentation on role of modern genomic tools in developing climate resilient crops for sustainable agriculture, fortification through transgenics and conventional breeding and use of biotechnology in plant breeding techniques.
Mr. Galab Mir Rahmany , Asst. Prof. in Baghban University persuing Ph.D in Osmania University addressed the gathering on sustainable environment from perspective of sociology and Islamic ideology.
The programme ended with valedictory session and certificates were distributed to the participants.