THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: As the state observes Wildlife Week, the capital city is set to witness a gathering of conservationists, scientists, researchers, farmers, forest officials, lawyers and public representatives.
Head of forest force Rajesh Ravindran will inaugurate Vanaspandanam, a three-day event to be jointly organised by the Coexistence Collective Kerala and the State Central Library, at the library hall on October 5. Former chief secretary S M Vijayanand will deliver the keynote address. Noted conservationist M K Ranjit Singh, who served as the country’s first director of wildlife preservation, will speak virtually.
Former IFS officer Prakriti Srivastava will inaugurate the photography exhibition on nature and wildlife. N Badusha, president of the Wayanad Nature Conservation Society will preside.
A commemorative meeting on late wildlife photographer N P Jayan, followed by a discussion on photography, videography and forest conservation will be held. Assistant conservator P M Prabhu will chair the session, with Balan Madhavan, Suresh Elamon, Sally Palode and Shaju John participating.
On October 6, the event will focus on elephants and human-wildlife interactions. A panel discussion will be moderated by Dr V Subhash Chandra Bose.
Former director of Kerala Forest Research Institute P S Easa, Meera Chandran of Forest First, D Bhoominathan of the World Wildlife Fund, Muneer Tholpetty of the Hume Centre, T S Santhosh and Anwar Sadath will participate.
The second session will be chaired by A B George, with noted conservation biologist Dr K Ullas Karanth delivering the keynote address. Forest Minister Shibu Baby John will address the gathering on Tuesday at 2 pm. Chief wildlife warden P Pukazhenthi will preside over the session. A panel discussion on ‘Threats Facing Wildlife,’ chaired by Prof E Kunjikrishnan will be held on October 7. The concluding session will be inaugurated by minister Roji M John at 5 pm.