Conservation biology uses fundamental principles to solve real-world problems: Karanth

Mangaluru: The National Institute of Technology Karnataka (NITK), Surathkal, conducted its annual Ring Presentation Ceremony on Friday at the NITK Surathkal campus, with 2,100 graduating students receiving silver rings engraved with the NITK emblem and their year of graduation, a symbol of their lifelong connection with the institute.The tradition, initiated by Prof AS Adke over 50 years ago, is unique in India. Faculty members present each student with the ring, uniting NITKians across generations and across the world. This year's recipients span a range of programmes, including BTech (988), MTech (708), MCA (67), MBA (75), MSc Physics (34), MSc Chemistry (34), MTech Research (40) and PhD (154). The ceremony was graced by Padma Shri awardee and distinguished NITK alumnus Kota Ullas Karanth, emeritus director, Centre for Wildlife Studies, Bengaluru, as chief guest, and was presided over by Prof B Ravi, director of NITK. Prof Govinda Raj Mandela, dean of students welfare; Prof Dwarakish, dean of academics; along with associate deans, functionaries, faculty and staff of NITK Surathkal were present. Karanth drew a thought-provoking parallel between wildlife science and engineering, describing conservation biology as an applied science that, much like engineering or medicine, uses fundamental principles to solve real-world problems. He outlined three often-overlooked pillars of wildlife conservation: recovery of endangered species, protection of communities from animal conflict and sustainable use of wildlife to support local societies. He stressed that rigorous field data, not sentiment alone, is what drives effective conservation. He also shared his perspectives on eco-modernism and the concept of sustainable landscapes as frameworks for modern conservation practice. Prof B Ravi reflected on NITK's unique privilege of being nestled between the Arabian Sea and the Western Ghats, and the opportunities this gives students to remain connected with the natural world. He said alumni from four-and five-decade past continue to wear their rings with pride.
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