The Department of Botany, Government Model Degree College (GMDC), Zanskar, on July 20 organised an interactive session on "Floral Diversity Exploration and Its Conservation" at the college auditorium. The programme featured Dr. Kuldip Singh Dogra, Scientist at the Botanical Survey of India, Solan, and was held under the supervision of the college Principal, Dr. Amjad Ali Abassi.

The session witnessed enthusiastic participation from students and faculty members, providing a platform for interaction with an expert in plant sciences and biodiversity conservation.

In his inaugural address, Principal Dr. Amjad Ali Abassi highlighted the importance of such academic engagements in broadening students' scientific outlook and strengthening their understanding of biodiversity conservation and environmental sustainability. He encouraged students to actively interact with experts from premier scientific institutions and pursue research in environmental sciences.

Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Kuldip Singh Dogra shared his expertise and field experiences on ecology, invasive alien plant species, biodiversity conservation, traditional ecological knowledge, climate change and environmental impact assessment. He emphasised the urgent need to conserve the fragile Himalayan ecosystem and motivated students to contribute towards scientific research and environmental stewardship.

The programme concluded with an interactive question-and-answer session, during which students and faculty members sought insights on plant taxonomy, biodiversity documentation, conservation strategies and career opportunities in botanical sciences. Dr. Dogra responded to the queries with detailed explanations, making the session both informative and inspiring.

Dr. Abdul Hadi, Assistant Professor of Botany, delivered the vote of thanks, expressing gratitude to Dr. Kuldip Singh Dogra for his insightful lecture and valuable interaction with students. He also thanked Principal Dr. Amjad Ali Abassi for his continuous encouragement and support, as well as the faculty members, students and organising team for their active participation in making the programme a success.