The National Academy of Sciences, India, Allahabad organized a Winter School from February 15 - 17, 2008 for the students and teachers of +2 level coming from about 30 districts of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Bihar. The program was inaugurated by Hon’ble Sri Abdul Mannan ji, Minister Science & Technology, Government of U.P. Prof. P.K. Seth, CEO, Biotech Park, & Former Director, IITR Lucknow welcomed Hon’ble Sri Abdul Mannanji, Shri Ram Kumar, Principal Secretary, Department of Science & Technology, Govt of U.P., Prof Veena Tandon, Prof. Rakesh Tuli, Prof. B.N. Dhawan and other distinguished guests and the participants of the winter school in the magnificently spread architectural model Biotech Park which is also deeply involved in the preservation and conservation of biodiversity and natural resources- the very theme of the winter school.

Prof. Seth highlighted the role of the academy for which it was founded by a great patriot and scientist Prof. Meghnad Saha in the year 1930. The academy is dedicated to make visible change in the cultural development of the nation by means of propagation of scientific knowledge; and organization of the winter school is another step in this direction by making the students and general mass aware about the importance of our biodiversity and its conservation.

Hon’ble Sri Mannan praised the efforts of academy and the Biotech Park in cultivation of the scientific temperament among the students and general mass especially highlighting the need of sustainable management of the bioresources. Sri Ram kumar, Principal Secreatry, Department of Science & Technology, Govt U.P. while addressing the inaugural session stressed on enthusing the budding scientists for the conservation of the biodiversity. The academy has chosen students as the perfect mode of its campaign for conserving the biodiversity and thus saving the planet Earth.

Prof CBL Srivastava, Convener of the School highlighted the program objectives and briefed about the three days activities to be covered in the winter school. Prof Rakesh Tuli , Director, NBRI gave brief account of the bioresources , bioreserves , endangered species and conservational measures and steps taken by the government of India emphasizing the role of the prestigious institutions like CIMAP, NBRI, CDRI, Birbal Sahni Institute of Paleobotany , Biotech Park etc.