Guest lecture on Dr. Budhan Pukazhenthi from Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, USA at CUSB, April 28, 2025

Extinction and Conservation are two important dynamics of ecosystem. In conserving a species from extinction, it is not only to increase their abundance and protect them rather It is one aspect to maintain equilibrium of the entire ecosystem from prey to predators. A special lecture on ‘The sixth extinction – What technologies are meaningful for species conservation’ was organized at CUSB by the Research and Development Cell and Internal Quality Assurance Cell, CUSB, Gaya. Prof. Ram Pratap Singh, Head, Department of Life Science the event with a welcome address and Introduction of the Chief Guest, Dr. Budhan Pukazhenthi, a renowned Research Physiologist (Ungulates) from the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, USA.  Prof. R. P. Singh mentioned the tremendous work on the conservation of endangered ungulates species specially Tapir and Rhinoceros from captivity in Zoo to Wild nature. His research team is globally addressing issues related to reproductive biology of rare and endangered species.

Dr. Pukazhenthi, presented an in-depth lecture on the tools and technologies for species conservation. He discussed about the global ungulate conservation programme, global biodiversity status of species, ongoing conservation efforts on Mountain tapir, White rhino, Bison and several other red-listed species, as well as the challenges to natural breeding. He also addressed the use of various tools for management of animal species like biobanking, sperm banking, artificial insemination, cloning and the role of genomics in executing the conservation program. Dr. Pukazhenthi's team was the first in the world to successfully produce Persian onager and Przewalski's horse foals using artificial insemination. He remarked that natural breeding is the best way to reproduce with a 95% success rate. In conclusion, he highlighted the significant loss in species that we are currently witnessing and the need to better understand the environment, health and risks to guide policy decisions and he emphasised towards more studies on birds, reptiles and amphibians. He also interacted with the faculties and research scholars for the future research opportunities and different fellowships in USA. 

Prof, Budhendra Kumar, Co-ordinator, Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) addressed about the contribution of IQAC cell towards developing scientific and human temperament for such conservation programme in the university. He highlighted the efforts, CUSB is taking to promote the biodiversity of Bihar. Also, the Director of Research and Development Cell, Prof. Durg Vijai Singh also expressed his views regarding such conservation efforts and encouraged the audience to contribute towards such conservation work. He also felicitated the guest speaker Dr. Budhan Pukazhenthi and special guest Shri S. Sudhakar, Conservator of Forest, Gaya. More than 200 students, research scholars, and faculty members from the departments of Life Science, Biotechnology, Bioinformatics, Geology, Environmental Science, Physics, Chemistry, Pharmacy and Computer Science were present during the lecture. The event ended with a vote of thanks from Prof. Prabhat Ranjan, Head, Department of Computer Science, CUSB.