The two-day National Conference on Changing Environment: Challenges, Solutions and Strategies organized by Dempo Charities Trust, Dhempe College of Arts and Science, Miramar was held on 8thand 9th March 2018. The conference was sponsored by the Department of Science, Technology and Environment, Government of Goa and was supported by Goa State Biodiversity Board. The Conference was inaugurated by esteemed guests Shri. DaulatHawaldar, Secretary (Finance and Environment), Madam PallaviDempo, Trustee of Dempo Charities Trust, Shri.RajeshBhatikar, Administrator of Dempo institutions and Dr.VrindaBorker, Principal of the College, all of whom highlighted the immediate relevance of the topic and set the tone for the two-day deliberations on Changing Environment. In the effort to pool in the best expertise on the topic, the Keynote and Plenary Speakers from renowned academic and research bodies such as, NEERI, CSIR-NIO, NCAOR, National Institute of Hydrology, Institute for Social and Economic Change and Goa University were invited to speak.

The keynote address was delivered by Dr. ShaliniDhyani, Scientist at the National Environment Engineering Research Institute, Nagpur and Chair (S.A.), International Union for Conservation of Nature, Commission on Ecosystems Management. She spoke on the need to integrate government initiatives to curb the harmful effects of climate change, with cooperation on the part of the public.

The Two-Day Conference featured 04 Plenary Sessions, 25 Oral presentations and 12 Poster presentations engaging in critical dialogues and different aspects of Changing Environment. The topicsaddressed included aspects of Sustainable Environmental Remediation, water resource management, biodiversity protection and self-sustaining ecosystems analysis.

Over the last two days, the participants benefitted immensely from the studies and perspectives of experienced and young scholars on various aspects of Climate Change. It was overwhelming to see vigour of this stature towards protecting our planet from the imminent dangers of climate change.

The valedictory function was held on 9th of March 2018 in the college seminar hall. Dr. BalakrishnaPasipati, Vice Chancellor, Trans- Disciplinary University, Bengaluru delivered a lecture to conclude the conference proceedings. He spoke on the need of effective policy development to tackle environmental change and the importance of communicating the economic impact of environmental damage to the public.Shri. Ganesh Shetgaonkar, Chairman, Goa State Pollution Control Board, Panaji was the Chief Guest at the function while Shri. PradipSarmokadam, Member Secretary, Goa State Biodiversity Board, Saligao was the Guest of Honour at the valedictory function. Other dignitaries included Shri. YatishDempo, Trustee, Dempo Charities Trust,Principal, Dr. VrindaBorker, Mr. DinanathParab, Co-ordinator of the conference and Dr. ManojIbrampurkar, Organising Secretary.

This Conference was a confluence of theoretical ideas and pragmatic solutions which will contribute a great deal in combating challenges and ensuring ecological sustainability.