Department of Zoology organized a One day State Level Seminar ‘Birds as indicators of healthy environment’ on 26th February 2018 in the seminar hall of the College. Dr. Vrinda Borker was the Convener of the seminar, Mrs. Sucheta Halkar, Coordinator and Dr. Minal Desai Shirodkar was the Organizing secretary. The Chief Guest and the keynote speaker was Dr. Ajai Saxena, Principal Conservator of Forest, Government of Goa. Welcome address was given by our Principal Dr. Vrinda Borker, inaugural was also graced by Administrator Mr. Rajesh Bhatikar and Vice Principal Mrs. Manjiri Barve. 20 teachers and 55 students from all the Colleges of our State participated.

Dr. Ajai Saxena in his keynote address on “Birds as indicators of healthy environment” emphasized with examples on birds being the indicators. He mentioned that Pied creasted Cuckoo is indicator of monsoon, canary was used to detect the gases in the coal mine. Some birds are considered as biological barometer and few are indicators of pollution. He also told about some of his personal experiences in the field. The avenues of research in the field of wildlife biology were highlighted by him and students were encouraged to take up this area of research.

Captain Ramesh Shankar, Safety Officer, Naval Aviation Goa, was the next guest speaker. He spoke on the topic “Sustainable Development in Harmony with Birds” He gave a new perspective of bird conservation and the attempt made and steps taken by aviation industry to avoid accidents due to bird hit and thus saving the human as well as the birds. A video on impact and consequences of bird hit on aircraft and the passengers was shown. He also spoke about birds being intelligent.

Mrs Shradha Rangnekar, Goa Bird Conservation Network’s founder member spoke on “Bird diversity of India with special reference to migration”. She gave a complete account of birds of India and migrants with appealing pictures and videos of magnificent birds from all over India. Mr. Omkar Dharwadkar, GBCN member showed “Film on Birds” on different bird activities such as preening, bathing, parental care, resting, feeding, captured by him. He also showed movie on vultures. The seminar was conducted using minimal paper and modern technology. Feedback from the participants was excellent, overall impression of the participants was very good