International Workshop on GIS for Plant Biodiversity Held at Konda Laxman Telangana Horticultural University
Hyderabad, December 25, 2024Sri Konda Laxman Telangana Horticultural University (SKLTHU) organized a one-day international workshop on “GIS for Plant Biodiversity and Resource Management” at its headquarters in Mulugu. The workshop brought together renowned experts from India and abroad to discuss advancements in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and their applications in horticulture and biodiversity conservation.
Future of Horticulture Lies in IoT: Vice-Chancellor Dr. Danda Raji Reddy
In his inaugural address, Vice-Chancellor Dr. Danda Raji Reddy emphasized the transformative role of the Internet of Things (IoT) in shaping the future of horticulture. He announced plans to map horticultural crops using remote sensing and GIS technologies.
Dr. Reddy also outlined upcoming initiatives, including DNA fingerprinting and genome sequencing of key vegetable, fruit, and medicinal plant species. He highlighted the use of artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and deep learning to develop specific plant models, enabling faster and more precise data access through GIS and remote sensing tools.
Global Experts Share Research Insights
The workshop featured presentations by distinguished international researchers, including:
Dr. Takashi Watanabe, Professor at Kumamoto University, Japan, and Dr. Raju Edla, Professor and Dean at Vishnu Educational Development and Innovation Centre (VEDIC), Hyderabad, who showcased GIS applications in analyzing Japanese flora and global plant resources.
Dr. Yukio Nagano, Associate Professor at Saga University, Japan, and Ms. Eranga Pavani Vitaran, a researcher from the same institution, who presented on phylogenetic relationships in citrus species using chloroplast and nuclear genomes.
Dr. Shyam Saran Shrestha, President of the Himalayan Research and Development Center, Nepal, who discussed the bioprospecting of medicinal plants in Nepal, Italy, and Japan.
Active Participation from University Staff and Students
The workshop saw enthusiastic participation from university officials, including Registrar Dr. A. Bhagwan, Dean of Horticulture Dr. M. Rajasekhar, Controller of Examinations Dr. N. Srinivasan, and Associate Deans Dr. China Nayak, Dr. Pidigam Saidaiah, Dr. Veena Joshi, Dr. Jaya Shankara Swamy, Dr. Nikhil, Dr. Mallesh, and Dr. S. Praneeth. Scientists such as Dr. Krishnaveni, Dr. Veera Suresh, and Dr. G. Satish also contributed significantly to the discussions.
Teaching and non-teaching staff, along with students, actively engaged in the event, which concluded with a renewed commitment to integrating GIS and advanced technologies into horticultural research and biodiversity management.
