Workshop on grassland invasion management begins at KU

Srinagar Jan 13: The Department of Botany, University of Kashmir (KU), on Tuesday began a two-day workshop titled “Managing Invasions for Grassland Restoration and Resilience” under the RUSA 2.0 project in collaboration with ICAR -Indian Grassland & Research Fodder Institute, Regional Research Station Srinagar, at the Main Campus.

The workshop aims to examine the ecological integrity of grasslands, assess the threats posed by invasive species, and identify practical restoration and management strategies.

In her address at the inaugural session, Vice-Chancellor KU, Prof. Nilofer Khan, said, “Grasslands are among the most threatened ecosystems, yet they remain critical for biodiversity, livelihoods, and climate resilience. Universities must play a proactive role in generating region-specific knowledge and solutions for their conservation.”

Registrar, KU, Prof. Naseer Iqbal highlighted the importance of institutional support and capacity-building initiatives in strengthening research-led approaches to ecological conservation. Dean, School of Biological Sciences, KU, Prof. Abdul Hamid Wani, noted that interdisciplinary research and collaboration are essential for addressing complex ecological challenges such as grassland degradation.