Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation

The Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation (CBC) at O.P. Jindal Global University is a premier academic and research centre dedicated to advancing critical, interdisciplinary scholarship on biodiversity and its conservation. Located within the Jindal School of Environment and Sustainability (JSES), the Centre functions as a vibrant intellectual hub that explores biodiversity not merely as a collection of species, but as a dynamic and essential system that underpins human well-being, ecological stability, and planetary health.

CBC focuses on key thematic areas, including biodiversity assessment, climate change impacts, invasive species management, protected area effectiveness, and community-based conservation. These themes are examined through an interdisciplinary framework that integrates Ecology, Evolutionary Biology, Environmental Science, Policy Studies, and Social Sciences. Importantly, the Centre adopts a critical perspective that moves beyond traditional conservation approaches, analysing biodiversity issues in relation to human development, environmental justice, and sustainable resource management.

The Centre is led by Dr. Kumar Manish, who serves as Director and brings extensive expertise in Himalayan plant biodiversity, ecology, evolution, and climate change ecology. Supporting the Centre’s academic and administrative vision is Prof. Abhiroop Chowdhury, Dean of JSES, whose work focuses on biodiversity conservation, mangrove restoration, and alternative livelihoods in sensitive ecosystems.

CBC actively promotes academic dialogue through seminars, workshops, conferences, roundtables, and training programmes. These engagements bring together researchers, policymakers, conservation practitioners, local communities, and students, fostering meaningful exchanges that bridge theory and practice. The Centre’s activities are designed not only to advance academic inquiry but also to contribute to policy-relevant discussions on biodiversity conservation and sustainable development.

In addition, the Centre plays a crucial role in strengthening collaborations between academia, government bodies, NGOs, and local communities. Through partnerships with research institutions and international networks, CBC facilitates cross-regional knowledge exchange and encourages comparative research. This positioning allows the Centre to contribute to broader conversations on climate action, food security, and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Through its research initiatives, academic programming, and outreach activities, CBC seeks to cultivate critical thinking and environmentally conscious scholarship. It equips students and researchers with the analytical tools necessary to engage with complex ecological issues while encouraging a deeper understanding of India’s rich biodiversity and its global significance.

Overall, the Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation stands as a key intellectual platform that connects biodiversity science with policy and practice, fostering interdisciplinary research, critical inquiry, and collaborative knowledge production for a more sustainable and resilient future.