KIIT Law School recently hosted a two-day International Symposium on “New Dimensions and Ideas in Environmental Anthropology“. The event saw enthusiastic participation from countries such as the Netherlands, Canada, Nigeria, and Nepal, alongside attendees from across India. The symposium aimed to explore emerging perspectives in the field of environmental anthropology, fostering international collaboration and knowledge exchange.
The inaugural ceremony was graced by eminent personalities in the academic and environmental sectors. Prof.(Dr.) Amareswar Galla, Pro Chancellor of Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS), joined as the Chief Guest, bringing his expertise all the way from Australia. Prof. (Dr.) Amitabh Pande, Director of Rastriya Manav Sangrahalaya, Ministry of Culture, Government of India, was the Guest of Honor. The Vice Chancellor of KIIT DU, Prof. (Dr.) Saranjit Singh, and Vice Chancellor of KISS DU, Prof. (Dr.) Deepak Kumar Behera, presided over the inaugural ceremony.
Prof.(Dr.) Jnyana Ranjan Mohanty, Registrar of KIIT DU, also addressed the gathering, highlighting the significance of the symposium. The Director of the Law School, Prof.(Dr.) Rose Varghese, warmly welcomed all the participants, setting the tone for the intellectually stimulating sessions that followed. Dr. Tulishree Pradhan served as the Convener of the symposium, ensuring the smooth conduct of the event.
The symposium sessions were chaired by distinguished academicians and professionals from around the world, including Prof.(Dr.) Maria Stoicheva from Sofia University, Bulgaria; Dr. Sanjeet Kumar, IFS, Conservator of Forests, Bhubaneswar Circle; Prof.(Dr.) Bharti from National Law University Delhi; Prof.(Dr.) Pallavi Sharma, HoD, Department of Environmental Science, Gauhati University Assam; and Sri. Jitasatru Mohanty, IFS(Rtd.), a Trustee Member of Save Elephant Foundation Trust.
The valedictory session, presided over by Director of Research and Innovation Prof. (Dr.) Rajan Varghese, featured Sri. Lingaraj Otta, IFS, OSD-cum-Special Secretary to Govt., Forest & Environment Dept., Govt. of Odisha, as the chief guest. Co-Convener Ms. Madhuri Meelee delivered the vote of thanks, expressing gratitude to all participants and contributors.
The symposium concluded with a powerful message resonating among the participants: there is no dichotomy between the environment and development; instead, it should be viewed as an interdependent relationship – environment vis-à-vis development. The insightful discussions and global perspectives shared during the event are expected to contribute significantly to the ongoing discourse on environmental anthropology and sustainable development.