Prof M S Swaminathan, Founder, M S Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF), was today conferred the Doctor of Letters (D.Lit) degree by ITM University, Gwalior for his ‘unparalleled contribution to mankind’ at a Special Convocation held at the Foundation.

Mr SLB Misra, Chairman, AP State Biodiversity Board speaking to journalists from the East Coast of India gathered at Kakinada for the 3-day MSSRF-NBA media workshop on ‘Biodiversity Conservation for Climate Change Adaption’ said that conserving local biodiversity can go a long way in regenerating forests, and serious efforts need to start by managing grazing and forest fires.

The press in India has a significant role to play in relaying the importance of conserving local biodiversity.

The ‘Millets, Monsoon and Market’ dialogue came to close today with global ‘Millet Champions’ calling for the Government of India to launch a National Millet Mission, especially since 2018 is the National Year of Millets.

Certain species of corals have been found to survive temperature rise and disturbances in weather patterns in the Lakshwadeep and this knowledge may be useful for setting up coral management systems in other regions too, said Ms Shreya Yadav, doctoral student studying coral reef ecology at the University of Hawaii at a seminar held today at MSSRF.

Prof. Swaminathan today received the Bharath Shanthi Dhootha award (messenger of peace) from the Warangal-based World Peace Festival Society.