National Conference on Managing Soil Resource for Environmental Sustainability: Challenges & Perspectives (MSRES-2016)

9-10 December, 2016

Institute of Environment & Sustainable Development Banaras Hindu University Varanasi 221005, UP BACKGROUND Soil is vital life-supporting system of the planet earth and is central to essential planetary functions, such as primary production, the regulation of biogenic gases and the earth’s climate, biogeochemical and water cycling, and the maintenance of biodiversity. Unfortunately, despite being such an important and natural resource, humans have been negligent in its care. This has led to degradation of more than 25% soils globally. The growing body of evidence suggests that the occurrence of contaminated soils in different parts of the world is steadily increasing. Furthermore, the growing population exerts tremendous pressure on our soil for food, biomass and biofuel productions. In order to meet the food demands of our growing populations, the agricultural production has to be doubled by the mid of this century. Apart from the anthropogenic disturbances, there is a growing body of research indicates that climate change can also act as a major driver of soil degradation. Climate change can alter the soil microbial communities and functional diversity, plant-microbe interactions and even the physical, chemical and biological properties of the soil. As a result, the 68th UN General Assembly declared the period 2015 to 2025 as the ‘International Decade of Soils’ in order to create a solidarity for combating soil degradation and fostering the importance of soil conservation and management at global scale. Since India is an agrarian country, majority of our soils are contaminated with agrochemicals like pesticides and synthetic fertilizers. Therefore, there is a growing concern regarding the protection and management of our soil resources from further damage and to remediate already contaminated soils in an emergency basis. The present National level conference is aimed to understand the challenges beforehand and perspectives for future to manage soil degradation in India and to sustain life of soils. The conference will act as a forum for views from leading experts in the field and for research outputs of young researchers. The outcome of the conference will be prepared as a policy brief for submission to the concerned Ministries and/or authorities of the government for implementation in future.

THEMES 1. Soil chemistry, fertility & nutrient cycling 2. Soil biology, genomics & proteomics 3. Soil-plant-microbe interactions 4. Agronomic practices & soil quality 5. Land-use land-cover changes & soil degradation 6. Climate change & soil system 7. Soil pollution & degradation in India 8. Remediation of contaminated & degraded soil 9. Mine spoil & fly ash dump management 10. Integrated soil & water conservation techniques 11. RS & GIS in soil resource management 12. Restoration of degraded lands by medicinal & aromatic plants 13. Global & regional initiatives for soil resource management PARTICIPATION

The conference will include of invited lectures and those who are working in the theme areas of the conference are invited to oral and poster presentation. We wish to ensure that there will be ample opportunity for discussion, therefore, contributors are requested to submit an abstract (not exceeding 300 words in “Time New Roman” 12 pt, include: Title of paper in BLOCK letter; Name of author(s), primary institutional affiliations with full address and Email Ids; 5 to 6 key words). The abstract along with the registration fee details should reach the organizing secretary latest by 15th November, 2016 by email ([email protected] ).

REGISTRATION AND ACCOMMODATION

Registration fee: Rs. 1000/-per student and Rs. 1500/-per academician. Duly filled registration form along with cash/Bank Draft (drawn in favor of The Organizing Secretary, MSRES-2016, IESD payable at Bank of Baroda, BHU, Varanasi) of the registration fee should submitted to the Organizing Secretary, MSRES-2016, Institute of Environment and Sustainable Development, BHU, Varanasi-221005 on or before 15th November, 2016. Although on-spot registration is possible, only limited accommodation is available. Therefore, the accommodation will be provided to the selected participants remitting the registration fee before 15th November, 2016. Also send a scan copy of the registration form and DD to Email ID: ([email protected]).

For contact

Dr. Jay Prakash Verma Organizing Secretary Institute of Environment & Sustainable Development Banaras Hindu University Varanasi 221005 Mobile: 09452762725 E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]

Dr. P.C. Abhilash Joint Organizing Secretary Institute of Environment & Sustainable Development Banaras Hindu University Varanasi 221005 Mobile: 09415644280 E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected] VARANASI: THE ETERNAL CITY OF INDIA Varanasi is one of the most sacred cities in India, which is situated on the river bank of Ganga. Varanasi, also known as Kashi, is one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world. It is considered the epitome of ancient Indian culture and is the subject of many legends. The city has been the symbol of spiritualism, philosophy and mysticism for thousands of years and has produced great saints and personalities like Gautam Buddha, Mahabir, Kabir, Tulsidas and Shankaracharya. City is important pilgrimage centre for Buddhist, Sarnath (10 km from Varanasi), where Load Buddha gave his 1st Sermon after enlightment. The holy Ganges and the spectacular Ganga Aarti, the ancient Ghats, Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Sankat Mochan, Sarnath, Bharat Kala Bhavan and many other places have always enthralled the visitors. Varanasi is known for its rich tapestry of music, arts and craft, silk sarees, silk brocades, carpets, sweets, and Banarasi Pan (a mouth freshener with a combination of condiments wrapped in an edible leaf). Varanasi is well connected by rail and air with most metro cities of India. The main railway station is about 10 km and the airport about 30 km from Banaras Hindu University. The university campus is relatively free from the menace of pollution. Its weather varies from 30 0C to 35 0C during September. Varanasi, today, is also centre of education. BANARAS HINDU UNIVERSITY Banaras Hindu University (BHU) founded by Bharat Ratna Pandit in 1916 is one the most prestigious Central University in the country. It is the largest residential University in Asia with over 30,000 students, from about 65 countries. The area of its main campus is 1300 acres having well maintained roads, extensive greenery, a temple, an air strip and buildings which are an architectural delight. A living embodiment of Malviya Ji, Dr. & Dr. S. Radhakrishnan, this seat of learning epitomizes synthesis of ancient wisdom & modern scientific temper. Banaras Hindu University ranks among the first few in the country in the field of academic and research output. This university has two campuses (Main campus at Banaras and another South Campus at Barkacha, Mirzapur), 5 institutes, 16 faculties, 1119 departments, 4 advanced centers, 4 interdisciplinary schools, 4 affiliated college and 3 schools. The University, is making its mark at the national and International levels in a number of frontier areas of Science, Social Science, Technology, Medicine and Agriculture etc.

INSTITUTE OF ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT In accordance with the UN visualization that higher education should contribute significantly to the development of appropriate knowledge and competences in the area of environment protection and sustainable development, a national level Institute of Environment and Sustainable Development (IESD) has been established at the Banaras Hindu University in 2011 with the aim to address the future need of sustainable development and clean environment. The Institute aims to not only work on novel approaches and researches to deal with the coming environmental issues but also to aware common public /government about the scenario. IESD will be dedicated to a better understanding of critical issues related to sustainable development goals through guided research. Chief Patron Prof. G. C. Tripathi, Vice Chancellor, BHU Chairman Prof. Kavita Shah, Director, Dean and Head, IESD, BHU Organizing Secretary Dr. Jay Prakash Verma, Assistant Professor, IESD, BHU Joint Organizing Secretary Dr. P.C. Abhilash, Assistant Professor, IESD, BHU Treasurer Dr. Sudhakar Srivastava, Assistant Professor, IESD, BHU Organizing Committee Prof. A.S. Raghubanshi, FNASc, IESD, BHU Prof. G.S. Singh, IESD, BHU Prof. R. K. Mall, IESD, BHU Dr. R.P. Singh, IESD, BHU Dr. T. Banerjee, IESD, BHU Dr. V. Prasad, IESD, BHU Dr. K. Ram, IESD, BHU Dr. P.K. Srivastava, IESD, BHU National Advisory Committee Dr. Panjab Singh, Former Vice-Chancellor, BHU & Former DG, Indian Council of Agricultural Research Prof. M.K. Thakur, FNASc, Dept. of Zoology, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi Prof. J. S. Singh, FNA, FNASc, Emeritus Professor, Dept. of Botany, BHU, Varanasi , UP Prof. P. K. Singh, FNA, FNASc, INSA Senior Scientist, Dept. of Botany, BHU & Former Vice-Chancellor, C.S. Azad University of Agriculture & Technology, Kanpur, U.P. Dr. D.D. Patra, FNASc, Vice-Chancellor, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswa Vidyalaya, West Bengal Dr. P.K. Mishra, Director, ICAR-Indian Institute of Soil & Water Conservation, Dehradun, Uttarakhand Prof. Mohammad Yunus, Vice-Chancellor, Mohammad Ali Jauhar University, Rampur, UP. Dr. H. Pathak, FNA, FNAAS, Principal Scientist, Division of Environmental Sciences, IARI, New Dr. V. K. Jain, Vice-Chancellor, Doon University, Uttarakhand Dr. S.F. D’Souza, Raja Ramanna Fellow, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai Dr. A. K. Patra, Director, Indian Institute of Soil Sciences, Bhopal Prof. R.P. Singh, Director, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, BHU, Varanasi, UP Dr. Naveen Kalra, Ex-Principal Scientist and Head, Division of Agricultural Physics, IARI, New Delhi Dr. Asha Juwarkar, FNASc, Chief Scientist, Eco-restoration Division, CSIR-NEERI, Nagpur, Maharashtra Prof. Uma Melkania, Dean, College of Basic Science, GBPUA&T, Pant Nagar, Uttarakhand Prof. B. Mohan Kumar, FNASc, School of Ecology & Environmental Sciences, Nalanda University, Bihar Prof. M.N.V. Prasad, Dept. of Plant Science, University of Hyderabad, Telangana Dr. R.D. Tripathi, FNASc, Emeritus Scientist, CSIR-NBRI, Lucknow, UP Dr. Nandita Singh, Head, Ecology and Environmental Science Division, CSIR-NBRI, Lucknow, UP Prof. Joseph Ray, Director, School of Bioscience, MG University, Kottayam, Kerala Dr. D.P. Singh, Principal Scientist, ICAR-NBAIM, Mau, Uttar Pradesh Prof. Janardan Yadav, Dept. of Soil Science and Agril. Chemistry, Institute of Agriculture, BHU, UP Prof. H.B. Singh, Head, Dept. of Mycology & Plant Pathology, Institute of Agriculture, BHU, Varanasi, UP Prof. R.C. Tiwari, Former Head, Dept. of Soil Science & Agril. Chemistry, Institute of Agriculture, BHU, UP Prof. B.S. Brar, Dept. of Soil Sciences, Punjab Agricultural University, Punjab Dr. P. Suprasanna, Senior Scientist, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai Dr. P.C. Sharma, Director, ICAR-Central Soil Salinity Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana Registration Form

National Conference on “Managing Soil resources for Environmental Sustainability: Challenges & Perspectives 9-10 December, 2016 1 Name:……………………………………………………………………………...... 2 Designation:………………………………………………………………………….. 3 Contact Address: …………………………………………………………………….. 4 E-mail ID:……………………………………………………………………………. 5 Mobile No:…………………………………………………………………………… 6 Registration details:…………………………………………………………………... 7 DD No:…………………………………. Date…………………………………….. 8 Accommodation required: (Yes)/ (No)………………………………………………… If yes, from ………………………. …… to……………………………………….. 9 Title of the Abstract:…………………………………………………………………. ………………………………………………………………………………………... ………………………………………………………………………………………... The complete form along with DD (Rs. 1000/- for students and Rs. 1500/- for Teachers/Scientist drawn in favor of the Organizing Secretary, MSRES-2016 payable at Bank of Baroda, BHU Branch) should be sent to Dr J.P Verma, Organizing Secretary, MSRES-2016, Institute of Environment & Sustainable Development, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, Uttar Pradesh by post on or before 15th November, 2016