Jammu, July 7 (Reporter) More than 60 delegates comprising scientists and scholars from parts of the country deliberated on the pest problems threatening the livelihood security of hill farmers during three-day national conference on ‘Ecological Engineering and Sustainable Livelihood’ concluded on Sunday in the meadows of Sanasar in Ramban district of Jammu and Kashmir. The conference was organised by the Entomological Science Academy (ESA) in collaboration with SKUAST-Jammu, which was unique of its kind that discussed and deliberated on the pest problems threatening livelihood security of hill farmers in the Hill agriculture. As per official communiqué, challenges, strategies and recommendations to secure their livelihood in sustainable manner was debated by a total of 62 delegates across the country viz., Arunachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, IARI New Delhi, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, J&K, MP and Jharkhand including members of scientific community and research scholars. Since the livelihood of hill farmers is being threatened by increasing pest problems leading to the dwindling of the bio-resources such as ‘anardana’, wild honey, wild mushrooms and herbal commodities, the experts discussed. Eight technical sessions were held in which eleven lead papers were presented by eminent agricultural scientists from ICAR and SKUAST-Jammu, it said. Besides, the handout said that more than 29 oral and 32 poster presentations were delivered by the delegates during the Conference, which was organized under the able guidance of Prof. B. N. Tripathi, Vice Chancellor, SKUAST-Jammu. The Vice Chancellor in his message complemented the participants and emphasized on open debate on the challenges and solutions of the conference through appropriate recommendations. Earlier in his welcome address, Dr. R .K. Gupta, President ESA elaborated the themes of the conference under eight heads viz., Hill farming and sustainable livelihood, Agrochemicals, IPM and IDM, Productive insects and Entrepreneurship for livelihood, Pollination crisis and Ecosystem services, Apitourism and Apitherapy, Bio-inspiration from Insect for sustainable life, Insect Conservation and Apocalypse and Ecology and Climate Smart Agriculture before inauguration by Dr. Poonam Jasrotia, ADG, Plant Protection, ICAR through virtual mode. Speaking on themes she critically stressed that in the era of increasing pest population, ecological Engineering holds immense promise in revolutionising insect pest management while ensuring sustainable livelihood for communities dependent on agriculture. Besides, integrating principles of ecology with engineering solutions can harmonise human activities with natural ecosystems thereby enhancing ecosystem services crucial for pest regulation. The conference culminated with successful recommendation of each theme which will be forwarded to the policy makers for future planning. The best poster and oral presentation awards were also distributed among the participants. The valedictory function ended with the vote of thanks presented by the organising secretary...////...