CSIR-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-NEERI), Nagpur has organized a training programme on ‘Ecology and Biodiversity for Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Projects’ during 19-21 February. 23 participants from government, industry and academia across India are taking part in this programme to acquire extensive practical knowledge on how to conduct a biodiversity and ecology based environmental impact assessment study.
The programme was inaugurated by Dr. Rakesh Kumar, Director, CSIR-NEERI, Dr. Hemant J. Purohit, Chief Scientist & Head, Environmental Biotechnology
And Genomics Division (EBGD), CSIR-NEERI and Dr. J S Pandey, Chief Scientist & Head, Climate Change and Skilling Division (CCSD), CSIR-NEERI. Dr. Sharda Kosankar,Scientist, EBGD, CSIR-NEERI; Dr. P R Salve, Principal Scientist, CCSD, CSIR-NEERI; Dr.Harshvardhan Singh, Principal Scientist, CCSD, CSIR-NEERI; and Er. Suvha Lama, Scientist, CCSD, CSIR-NEERI were also present on this occasion. In his inaugural address, Kumar pointed out that in most of the environmental impact assessment studies, biodiversity-related information is missing or described in a superficial way. Therefore, the country needs biodiversity-inclusive environmental impact assessment apart from modeling and simulation of other environmental components for environmental impact analysis. Dr. Pandey said that biodiversity is relevant to all types of environmental impact assessment (EIA) studies, which makes EIA study more meaningful.Dr. Purohit stated that ecological risk assessment is need of the hour, but we need to be honest in generating the biodiversity related data. He also explained how to use genomic tools to identify the risks associated with biodiversity. The experts will impart training to the participants on flora, fauna, terrestrial/aquatic ecosystem, green belt development. During this three-day training programme. Dr. Sharda Kosankar, Scientist, EBGD, CSIR-NEERI; Dr.P R Salve, Principal Scientist, CCSD, CSIR-NEERI; Dr. Harshvardhan Singh, Principal
Scientist, CCSD, CSIR-NEERI; and Er. Suvha Lama, Scientist, CCSD, CSIR-NEERI will be coordinating several activities.