Port Blair, Feb 13: The Orchid Society of India (TOSI) established in 1984 with its headquarters at Botany Department, Panjab University, Chandigarh is organizing National Conference cum Workshop on “Recent Advances in Orchidology with Special Emphasis on Biology, Climate Change, Conservation, and Commercialization of Floriculturally and Therapeutically Important Taxa” jointly with NHM, Directorate of Agriculture, Andaman and Nicobar Administration, Port Blair; ICAR-Central Island Agricultural Research Institute (CIARI), Port Blair; and BSI-Kolkata during February 15-17, 2019 at Dr. T.R. Dutta Conference Hall of CIARI, Port Blair.
The inauguration ceremony shall be held on February 15, 2019 at 11 a.m. Mr. Chetan B. Sanghi, IAS, Chief Secretary, A&N Administration, Port Blair & Chairman, HVADA will inaugurate the conference. Dr. T. Janakiram, ADG (Hort) ICAR, Delhi, Mr. Tarun Coomar, IFS, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests & Principal Secretary (Envt & Forests), Port Blair, and Mr. Krishan Kumar, Secretary Agriculture & Co-Chair, HVADA will grace the occasion as Guests of Honour.
To create awareness about the orchids at grass root level, an On the Spot Painting Competition is also being organized for the school and college students under different categories. Several Orchid Scientists, Growers and Entrepreneurs, Enthusiasts, and Policy Planners are expected to deliberate on Diversity, Biology, Conservation, Improvement, Propagation and Commerce.
Prof. AK Bhatnagar, President TOSI, will welcome the delegates. Prof. Promila Pathak, Department of Botany, Panjab University, Chandigarh, Secretary, TOSI and Convener-cum-Organizing Secretary of the Conference& Orchid Show shall brief the audience about TOSI& its activities. Dr. Lal ji Singh will propose vote of thanks. Mr. R Y Singh, Director Agri. NHM, Directorate of Agri., Port Blair; Dr A Kundu, Director (Act), ICAR- CIARI, Port Blairand Dr Lal Ji Singh, Head of the Office, BSI, Port Blair are the Co –Convenersof the Conference. Smt Clerybell D’souza, Deputy Director (Agri), Port Blair andDr V Baskaran, Principal Scientist, ICAR- CIARI, Port Blair are the Local Organizing Secretaries of the Conference.
