Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor Dr. Z. P. Patel called on the staff of Department of Wildlife Sciences, College of Forestry to discuss the progress and share his vision for this department.
Hon'ble VC appreciated the initiatives undertaken by the department and emphasised on importance of aligning the work with the urgent socio-ecological challenges faced in the South Gujarat region. He expressed his concern about the human-wildlife interface and instructed the department to take up scientific research studies aimed at mitigating conflict situations and supporting farmers living in wildlife-affected farmlands of South Gujarat.
Hon'ble VC expressed his concerns on impact of wild ungulates, especially feral pigs, which pose a serious threat to agriculture and are responsible for widespread crop damage across Gujarat. He directed the department to develop practical solutions and field-based strategies to help the farming community.
In a keen personal interest, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor shared his admiration for birds, recalling the Scaly-breasted Munia which had beautifully nested in his previous office. He highlighted how the presence of more than 100 species of birds in NAU campus contributes to its aesthetic and ecological richness.
As a gesture of gratitude and commitment to conservation Dr. Aadil Kazi presented ‘Gir Souvenir’ to Hon'ble Vice-Chancellor for his ongoing efforts in wildlife research, education and outreach.
