Vishnu N M, Biodiversity conservation
The second Indian Wildlife Ecology Conference (IWEC) 2026 took place from 10–12 July 2026 at Ashoka University, Sonipat. The conference brought together over 500 researchers, conservation practitioners, students, policymakers, and wildlife enthusiasts from India and beyond. Over three days, the conference provided a vibrant platform for sharing research and exchanging ideas. It also encouraged collaborations and strengthened the wildlife ecology community.
The scientific sessions included three paired plenary sessions, 20 symposia, 10 open sessions, 14 Special Interest Group (SIG) meetings, two panel discussions, a policy-focused session, an interactive publishing session, a special address by Rohini Nilakeni, and 83 poster presentations.
Collectively, these sessions highlighted the range and diversity of current ecological and conservation research across India. They also sparked engaging discussions across different disciplines and regions. A key feature of this year’s IWEC was the Ajith Kumar Opportunity Grant and Award for Outstanding Research Paper. These initiatives celebrate Dr. Ajith Kumar’s legacy and his crucial role in founding the Indian Wildlife Ecology Conference.
From Keystone Foundation, 3 of us from Biodiversity Conservation, Harshavardhini, Mounthees and Vishnu, attended the conference and engaged in 2 SIG groups: Invasive species – synthesizing knowledge across, and Process of ethical engagement with communities in India. We presented our work and shared our ideas.
Focusing on:
- Mapping Invasive Alien Plants
- Community-assisted invasive species mapping
The three-day event was very engaging, and it helped with our work and ideas.
