Wildlife week started in Navrachana University at Vadodara

Green pigeon, Jal Jamini are some of the unique things came to light during the documentation of flora and fauna inside Navrachana University in Vadodara. The team of students and guides documented close to 300 species of insects, birds, reptiles and plants at Navrachana Campus and released a digital copy of the booklet during the start of Wildlife week at the university.

The group search nearly a four acre area inside the campus and documented the plants, birds and insects in last one year with details and photographs. They released a pocket booklet during the start of wildlife week and will release the filed guide in one month time. "There are close to 300 species of insects, birds, reptiles and plants at Navrachana Campus and our team with the help of journalism students have documented them. The students have made a digital copy of the booklet," said Krishna Lohana, part of the Bio-Med Club. Apart from that the experts focus on maintaining the balance of wildlife for human survival.

Range Forest Officer, Nidhi Dave who was present at the inaugural ceremony said, It is going to be a huge task to maintain the ratio of insects around us which are the most important element of nature. The insects are the main pollinators and without them we cannot imagine our survival. It is high time we understand these connections of ecosystem and start taking concrete actions.

Navrachana University Provost Nilay Yajnik stated that now that the human movements have increased the wildlife has once again taken a back step. "We must not let this happen. We have to concrete actions to preserve the environment so that the fine balancing is maintained. At Navrachana University, several steps have been taken by involving the experts from the field of environment."

Dr A V Ramachandran voiced his concerns against the deteriorating ecosystem. "So much of destruction has taken place in past few years because of humans. It is quite alarming that 68 per cent loss have occurred in the average species population. If we would not stop the greed to overpower the nature, we would face dire consequences."

The ceremony was graced by forest officials from Vadodara range, Dr. Nishith Dharaiya, Associate Professor, Department of Life Science HNG University, Patan, Navrachana University Provost Nilay Yajnik and officials from the Community Science Centre.

A series of activities including Tree Walks, Talks, Discussions, Elocution, Photography Competition, Quiz and field visit would be taking place in and outside the campus as part of the Wildlife Week celebrations.