The inaugural Indian Wildlife Ecology Conference (IWEC) 2024 was “ born from the collective aspiration of researchers and institutions in India to discuss the science of wildlife ecology, network and collaborate, and support the discipline’s growth.” as the website puts it. The three-day-long event, held at NCBS, Bengaluru, between June 14 –16, sought to be a platform “for the professional exchange of ideas and research findings, to encourage communication and collaborations across disciplines, and to promote professional growth and career development.
” In keeping with this aim, the event saw several symposia, panel discussions and meetings occur, bringing together researchers in Indian wildlife ecology across taxa, landscapes, ecosystems, and disciplines. Here is a brief of some of the conversations that took place at the conference. Researchers present their findings on river ecology.
| Photo Credit:SPECIAL ARRAGEMENT A panel discussion on AI and wildlife “AI is everywhere...
infiltrating our lives, whether we like it or not,” says scientist and social impact partitioner Sarika Khanwilkar. Sarika, who was recently moderating a session titled Artificial Intelligence and Wildlife Ecology Research, adds that she herself uses AI tools in her research. “I have an in-depth understanding of its merits and limitations,” she says.
These merits and limitations were discussed at large by the rest of the panel, comprising interdisciplinary researcher Akanksha Rathore,.
