The inaugural session of the National Conference on Biodiversity Conservation & Climate Resilience in North East India–2026 (NCBCCR-2026) commenced on October 6 at the I Ihoshe Kinimi Hall, Nagaland University, Lumami.
Compered by research scholar, Imokokla Imsong, the session began with a welcome address by Dr Latonglila Jamir, Chairperson, who extended greetings to the dignitaries, faculty, scholars, and participants. Conference Convener, Prof Ashutosh Tripathi outlined the conference’s core theme and objectives, emphasizing North East India’s rich forest cover, diverse ecosystems, and traditional indigenous knowledge.
He stressed that rising climate risks and biodiversity loss call for an integrated, multidisciplinary platform connecting science, policy, and practice to promote community-centered, culturally grounded conservation strategies.
In his address, the Chief Guest Prof PK Mishra who is Professor (HAG) of Chemical Engineering IIT (BHU), Varanasi & Former Vice-Chancellor of AKTU (UP) and JTU (Jharkhand) officially opened the conference, warning of the risks posed to human survival by ongoing ecological degradation.
While acknowledging Nagaland’s rich natural heritage, he highlighted the growing impact of human activity on local landscapes and urged a return to sustainable, eco-friendly practices that exist in harmony with nature to resolve the environmental crisis.
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Key insights were shared by distinguished speakers during the session. Sridramappa M Chalkpure (IFS), Guest of Honour, noted that Nagaland’s high concentration of endemic species makes it particularly vulnerable to environmental degradation. He highlighted how traditional conservation ethos has been strained by modern development and emphasized the role of Government of India initiatives, such as local Biodiversity Management Committees, in empowering communities to protect natural resources.
Prof JK Patnaik, Vice-Chancellor, Nagaland University (Chief Patron), observed that while Nagaland historically preserved its forests, recent development and modernization have coincided with an increase in natural disruptions, including frequent landslides and cloudbursts. He urged researchers to document fine-scale environmental changes to inform broader conservation efforts.
Prof Santosh Kumar Singh, Dean, School of Sciences (Co-Patron), highlighted the intersection of science and tradition, calling climate change an immediate threat to the region. He emphasized that blending long-standing indigenous knowledge with modern scientific research is essential to bridge ecological sustainability with ongoing development.
The inaugural programme concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Dr Ashutosh Tripathi, Finance Secretary of the Conference. The session drew strong engagement across the academic spectrum, with 91 participants comprising 14 resource persons, 67 registered delegates, and 10 faculty members of Nagaland University.
