Experts Highlight Role of Nocturnal Pollinators in Climate Resilience at K.B. College Seminar
BERMO: A two-day national seminar on the “State of Environment and Climate Change: Challenges for Sustainable Development” commenced on Tuesday at Krishna Ballabh College, Bermo. Organized by the Department of Zoology, the event brought together academic experts to discuss pressing ecological shifts and research gaps in Jharkhand.
Night-time Pollinators Just as Vital as Day-time Insects
In a keynote address, Dr. Anand Kumar Thakur, Assistant Professor at Ranchi University, presented groundbreaking insights into the “Biodiversity, Ecological Networks, and Functional Trends of Nocturnal Nectar-Feeding Pollinators in Agro-based Ecosystems of the Ranchi Plateau.”
Dr. Thakur challenged the common focus on bees and butterflies, asserting that the pollination contribution of nocturnal insects—such as moths and bats—is equal to that of diurnal species. “While we often celebrate daytime pollinators, the work done under the cover of night is essential for our crop yields and forest health,” he noted.
Call for Localized Research
Highlighting a significant gap in regional science, Dr. Thakur pointed out that studies on nocturnal pollinators in Jharkhand are critically scarce. He urged students and faculty of the Vinod Bihari Mahto Koylanchal University (VBMKU) affiliate to take up research in this niche field. To support this, he provided a roadmap for navigating government grant applications to fund local biodiversity projects.
Technical Sessions Begin
Following his address, Dr. Thakur presided over the seminar’s first technical session, where researchers presented papers on climate adaptation strategies. The seminar, which concludes tomorrow, aims to bridge the gap between academic theory and environmental policy in the face of global warming.
