National Science Day Conference, National Institute of Immunology, Delhi 2023

“I SUPPOSE I’VE DONE MY PART BIT, IT’S NOW UPTO YOU YOUNG PEOPLE” ……. SALIM ALI

The Department of Zoology, Deshbandhu college organized a field trip for first semester students as a part of practical curriculum of paper “Concepts of Ecology” to Okhla Bird Sanctuary, Noida on January 25, 2023 to observe and identify different migratory and native birds. The visit was organized under the guidance of respected Principal Sir Prof. Rajiv Agarwal. Dr. Sandhya Rai, Dr. Moses Rinchui Ngasainao, Dr. Jaya Malhotra, Dr. Jitendra Kumar and notable alumni of the department Mr. Akshay Dwivedi accompanied the students. The sanctuary is the home of around 320 bird species out of which, 20 common resident water bird species, 44 resident woodland species and 43 migratory water bird species are present. The trip started around 9:00 am with the gathering of the students at the Okhla Bird Sanctuary metro station. Way before entering the location a white throated kingfisher (Halcyon smyrnensis) was spotted which increased the enthusiasm among  the students. Right after entering century, a flock of northern shoveler (Spatula clypeata), which migrate to India from North Asian countries during winters, was spotted feeding in the central lake. There were banners of different bird species with illustrations and information about living and feeding habits all around the sanctuary. These helped the students to identify and learn about the species such as white stork (Ciconia ciconia) and red-naped ibis (Pseudibis papillosa). Numerous great cormorants (Phalacrocorax carbo) were seen drying their wings on the bamboo platforms placed in the lake.  Mr. Akshay helped students spot and identify many water birds such as white breasted water hen (Amaurornis phoenicurus) and black crowned night heron (Nycticorax nycticorax) as well as many perching birds such as common tailorbird (Orthotomus sutorius) and tawny flanked prinia (Prinia subflava). Jungle babblers and Indian palm squirrels were jumping all around between trees in search of food. Native water birds like Indian spotted billed duck (Anas poecilorhyncha) started heading back to soil platforms within the lake as noon approached. Towards the end, the group visited the watch towers in the marshy area filled with cattail and hyacinth. Many gulls, grebes, pochards, wire-tailed swallow (Hirundo smithii), purple swamphen (Porphyrio porphyrio) and white bellied water hens were feeding along the borders or middle of the lake. Some water samples were collected to inspect the different types of microorganisms later.  As budding zoologists this activity gave the students the broader vision about nature. Peaceful activity of bird watching made them more fascinated about the rich biodiversity of birds and their different behavioural patterns. Now, students are more motivated to step outside and explore the majestic interconnection with the nature. Overall it was a great experience for them to learn about the birds.

Paleontology Webinar on “Cretaceous-Tertiary Mass Extinction”

The Department of Zoology, Deshbandhu College, University of Delhi, under the aegis of IQAC and DBT Star College Scheme organized a Webinar on Paleontology, for B.Sc (Prog.) Life Science and B.Sc. (Hons) Zoology students on April 17th, 2021, 10 am onwards on Zoom virtual platform. The webinar was organized to fulfill academic requirement of Practical syllabus of Genetics and Evolutionary Biology core paper, fourth semester, B.Sc (Prog.) Life Science. The event witnessed around 100 participants including students and faculty members of Deshabndhu college and other colleges of University of Delhi. 

Inaugurating the event, the organizer, Dr Kamal Kumar Gupta, Associate Professor, Department of Zoology shared the idea behind the conceptualization of organizing webinar for benefit of students during the course of on-line teaching in current semester. He also explained the significance of dread mass extinction event as an opportunity for new life forms to evolve.

The eminent speaker Dr Pramod Kumar, Assistant professor, Department of Geology, Centre for Advanced Studies, University of Delhi was introduced and formally welcomed to deliver his lecture  by Dr Manisha Sengar, Coordinator, Life Science Program.

Dr Pramod Kumar lectured on Cretaceous-Tertiary (K-T) Mass Extinction. He educated the participants about the insights of the series of event, occurrence, investigation and details of the organisms which survived the KT mass extinction. He also shared an interesting video depicting the entire episode and also explained the positive side of the mass extinction which was thought provoking. The lecture was followed by an interactive session, between Dr Pramod and the participants involving various aspects of the mass extinction and its aftereffects, being moderated by Mr Vikram Sehrawat, Class Representative, B.Sc. (Prog.) Life Science, 4th Semester. The enthusiasm and the understanding of the audience were reflected by the questions and queries being raised, all of which were answered to satisfaction by Dr Pramod. The webinar ended with a formal vote of thanks delivered by the organizer, Dr Gouri, Assistant Professor, Department of Zoology, Deshbandhu College, University of Delhi. Prof GVR Prasad, Department of Geology, University of Delhi could not deliver his lecture during the webinar due to some last moment urgent engagement.

In conclusion, the webinar turned out to be very successful in achieving its aim of enlightening the audience with a deep knowledge on Cretaceous-Tertiary Mass extinction.

Animal House Virtual Visit 

Dr. Manisha Sengar and Dr.  Sushma Sharma, Department  of Zoology, Deshbandhu College, University of Delhi under the aegis of IQAC organized a virtual Animal house visit to the Department of Zoology, University of Delhi  on March 15, 2021 for students of B.Sc. (H) Zoology III Year. The visit was organized to fulfill the academic requirement of Practical syllabus of Reproductive Biology DSE paper.  

Under the mentorship of Mr. Hem Narayan Sharma, the caretaker of the Animal house students were guided for the necessary safety measures including wearing lab coats, surgical gloves, masks, head covers and sanitizing themselves before entering the  Animal house.  

Virtual Field visit to "Aravalli Biodiversity Park"

Biodiversity club, Department of Zoology, Deshbandhu College, University of Delhi, under the aegis of IQAC and DBT Star College Scheme organized a Virtual Field Visit to Aravalli Biodiverity Park for B.Sc (Prog.) Life Science and B.Sc. (Hons) Zoology students on February 10th, 2021, 11:45am onwards. The visit was organized to fulfill academic requirement of Practical syllabus of Animal Diversity core paper of B.Sc (Prog.) Life Science first semester.  The event was hosted on Zoom virtual platform with over 120 participants including both students and faculty members of Deshabndhu college and other colleges of the University.

Inaugurating the program, Dr Rajeev Aggarwal, Principal, Deshbandhu College addressed the gathering. He shared the overview of different academic activities going on in the college and stressed on the relevance of such visits as a step towards biodiversity conservation. The Biodiversity Club Co-ordinator, Dr Kamal Kumar Gupta, then gave an insight into the club activities and focused on the significance of the virtual visit as a step towards inspiring the future generation to take care of the environment. Dr Gouri, one of the organizer of the program, then introduced the guest speaker of the visit Dr M Shah Hussain (Scientist In-charge), Aravalli Biodiversity Park and invited Dr Hussain to deliver the talk. Dr Varsha Baweja, Teacher In-charge, Department of Zoology and Dr Manisha Sengar, Coordinator, Life Science Program, and Dr Indrakant K Singh, Coordinator, DBT Star College Project and many other dignitaries graced the occasion