Biodiversity
University Biodiversity committee:
Symbiosis International (Deemed) University is conscious of the adverse aspects of development and benefits of ecological diversity for the sustainable development of human beings and especially for educational Institutions. Being one of the top progressive Universities in India, SIU lays a strong emphasis on building responsibility for all to conserve and enhance the biodiversity landscape. As a part of this initiative, the University has established a University Biodiversity Committee to nurture biodiversity, create awareness through education, foster the spirit of respect for nature amidst human interaction with environment and ensure conservation of key site areas of the University campus and various Constituent Institute/ Departments of Symbiosis.
University Biodiversity Cell
The cell has been established to study, collect data and document all biodiversity conservation related matters in 350 acres of the University’s campus and surrounding areas.
Notification
Biodiversity CommitteeBiodiversity @SIU
Activities
Books
'Fauna of Symbiosis International University', a pictorial field guide has been published in July 2018. 191 species of birds, butterflies, reptiles, amphibians and mammals documented at University, Lavale campus are documented in the book. The copies of the book are available for sale in the University’s Central Library.
Shri Siddhanta Das, Director General of Forest and Special Secretary, Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change, Government of India, Dr. Vidya Yeravdekar, Pro Chancellor, SIU, Dr. S.B. Mujumdar, Chancellor, SIU, Dr. Rajani Gupte, Vice Chancellor, SIU
University Biodiversity Committee members Dr. Gurudas Nulkar, Dr. Prakash Rao and Shilpa Avate with Shri Siddhanta Das, Director General of Forest and Special Secretary, Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change, Government of India, Dr. Vidya Yeravdekar, Pro Chancellor, SIU, Dr. S.B. Mujumdar, Chancellor, SIU
Dr. Rajani Gupte, Vice Chancellor, SIU during book release function on July 4, 2018.
Butterfly Garden
The University has developed three butterfly gardens at its Lavale campus in 2018 under the guidance of Butterfly man and a Moth lady of India, Isaac Kehimkar and Dr. Shubhalaxmi.
Saplings of more than 2000 food plants and nectar plants are planted at these three sites. Around 45 species of butterflies, many types of moth and 22 types of dragonflies & damselflies are seen around butterfly garden area.
Signage Board in the Butterfly Garden in the Lavale Campus
Striped Tiger Butterfly in the Butterfly Garden
Student Biodiversity Club
Student members of Biodiversity Cell are involved in regular documentation of flora and fauna and various conservation activities on the campus.
Students of Biodiversity Club at Bandhara- Eco sensitive area in the campus understanding wetlands and birds.
Dr. Rajani Gupte, Vice Chancellor observing wetland birds through spotting scope at Bandhara - December 2021
SIBM-P students on Nature walk in December 2021
SIDTM and SSVAP students on Nature walk, understanding grasslands in the campus in November 2021
SSBS & SSBF Biodiversity Club students on a Nature walk in October 2021
Great Back Yard Bird Count Event in February 2022
SSBF students on Tree Walk to learn to identify trees in February 2022
Water body restoration
The Lavale campus has built two Bandharas (water storage reservoirs) of total storage capacity of about 30,000,000 litres of freshwater. Eco restoration along the banks of the Bandharas has been carried out and several aquatic vegetation have been introduced. Big rocks added at the banks to attract birds to perch on.
White eyed Buzzard by Viren Narvekar SIT
Water body Vegetation
Water body in Symbiosis University Campus
Spot Billed duck a dabbling duck found in hundreds of numbers in the Lavale campus waterbody, Image by Sarthak Agrawal SSVAP
Pied Kingfisher a rare one which are found in pairs in the waterbody of Lavale campus. Image by Keyur Bhatt, SSP
Education and Awareness
Biodiversity Cell organise Sunday Special Series where eminent personalities, researchers, conservationists, grass root workers in wildlife are invited to interact with students and staff.
Areendran Gopala Oct 4, 2020
Varad Giri Nov 8, 2020
Dr. Harini Nagendra Dec 13, 2020
Neelima Vallangi Jan 31, 2021
Adithi Muralidhar March 14, 2021
Sarika Khanwilkar May 9, 2021
Kunal Shah July 25, 2021
Zoya Taybji September 05, 2021
Dr. Kiran Ranadive October 17, 2021
Dr. Anand Padhye December 19, 2021
Rohan Chakravarty January 09, 2022
Dr. Rani Bhagat January 30, 2022
Conferences/ Workshops
With the assistance of constituent Institutes/ Departments, the Biodiversity cell hosts conferences on wildlife and conservation
Poster presented in the Bird Monitoring Conference in February 2021
Poster Presented in Students Conference in Conservation Sciences in September 2021
Contact details:
Mr. Divyanshu Pawar,
Assistant Coordinator - Biodiversity,
Symbiosis Centre for Climate Change and Sustainability (SCCCS)
Telephone: 020 66936944
Email: biodiversitycell@siu.edu.in
Website: https://scccs.siu.edu.in
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