Kongunadu Arts and Science College, Coimbatore, in association with the Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata, and various NGOs from Coimbatore organized the National Symposium on The Western Ghats: Biodiversity Conservation and Ecosystem Management (WGBCEM-2025) and Western Ghats Fest-2025 on Thursday.

This two-day event, that is scheduled to continue on Friday brought together renowned scientists, conservationists, and academicians to discuss the rich biodiversity of the Western Ghats and strategies for its conservation.

S. Raja, Organizing Secretary, WGBCEM-2025, elaborated on the objectives of the symposium, emphasizing the need for collaborative efforts in biodiversity conservation.

The Presidential Address was delivered by Dr. C. A. Vasuki, Secretary & Director, KASC, highlighting the significance of the event in fostering research and conservation initiatives. 

She emphasized the collective responsibility of reaching out to policymakers, who had graced the occasion, to advocate for the protection of the environment. She further announced that the forthcoming symposium would feature insights from the Botanical Survey of India. 

The symposium also featured a significant milestone – the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between KASC and Chennai Snake Park, aimed at advancing research and conservation efforts.

The event also witnessed the release of books and the symposium abstract book by eminent dignitaries including C.A. Vasuki. Authors and editors of these publications were honored for their contributions to environmental research.

Following this, the gathering was addressed by Dr. S. Paulraj, IFS (Retd.), Executive Chairman, Chennai Snake Park Trust, Chennai, who felicitated the dignitaries. The Special Address was delivered by V. Thirunavukarasu, IFS, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests & Principal, Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, Coimbatore, who emphasized the importance of policy-driven conservation strategies.

The symposium featured two keynote addresses by distinguished speakers: P. S. Easa, Former Director, Kerala Forest Research Institute (KFRI), Kerala, and Dr. Deleep Kumar, IFS, Former Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (Protection), Madhya Pradesh. Their insightful discussions provided an in-depth analysis of conservation challenges and strategies for preserving the Western Ghats' fragile ecosystem.

The first day of the symposium continued with technical sessions led by eminent resource persons such as P. Pramod, Senior Principal Scientist & Head, Division of Nature Education, Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology & Natural History (SACON), Coimbatore; M. Murugesan, Scientist-D, Botanical Survey of India, Central National Herbarium, Howrah, Kolkata; K. A. Subramanian, Scientist-E & Officer In-charge, Zoological Survey of India, Southern Regional Centre, Chennai and V. D. Hegde, Scientist-E, Zoological Survey of India, Western Ghats Regional Centre, Kozhikode, Kerala.

The event featured multiple oral and paper presentation sessions across various disciplines, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches to conservation. 

Alongside the symposium, the Western Ghats Fest-2025 hosted various awareness programs, exhibitions, cultural performances, and interactive stalls. Participants included schools, colleges, NGOs, and the general public, fostering greater community involvement in environmental conservation.