Department of Wildlife Sciences AMU Aligarh Official

04/12/2025

https://onlinecourses.swayam2.ac.in/ini26_bt06/preview

28/02/2025

AMU’s Green Campus Hosts Successful Bird Count 2025 as a part of GBBC initiative: “AMU is home to more than 100 bird species, making it a sanctuary for avian biodiversity"

Aligarh, February 28: The Department of Wildlife Sciences, Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), organized the Campus Bird Count (CBC) 2025 as part of the global Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) initiative. Held recently, the event documented AMU’s rich avian diversity, highlighting its reputation as a biodiversity haven with flourishing greenery, vibrant flowers, and diverse bird species.

With its century-old trees and seasonal blossoms the AMU campus provides a thriving habitat for numerous bird species. This year’s bird count covered six trail routes, ensuring a thorough survey of the campus’s diverse ecosystems. Students and faculty from the Department of Wildlife Sciences actively participated, contributing to global citizen science efforts and conservation research.

Dr. Kaleem Ahmed, the event coordinator and eBird India’s Honorary Uttar Pradesh State Coordinator for GBBC, highlighted that over 60 bird species were documented during the count, reaffirming AMU’s ecological significance. "The AMU campus is home to more than 100 bird species, making it a sanctuary for avian biodiversity," he stated.

Prof. Satish Kumar, Chairperson of the Department of Wildlife Sciences, praised the efforts to raise awareness and engage students in biodiversity preservation. He noted that the campus hosts diverse bird species vital for ecological balance. The common myna controls insect populations, while the house crow aids in waste management. The Indian peafowl helps in pest control, and the rose-ringed parakeet and rock pigeon support urban seed dispersal. The red-vented bulbul enhances pollination, and the Indian koel preys on caterpillars as a bio-indicator. The black drongo and jungle babbler reduce pests, while the cattle egret, often seen near grazing animals, manages insects in agricultural areas.

Adding to the event’s vibrancy, a bird painting competition was held, inspiring students to artistically interpret the beauty of AMU’s feathered inhabitants.

The Campus Bird Count not only celebrates AMU’s rich natural heritage but also exhibits university’s commitment for sustainable conservation practices.



Public Relations Office
Aligarh Muslim University

24/12/2024

Free online Biodiversity Conservation Course on Swayam INI, NPTEl, platform funded by Ministry of Education Govt. Of India to universilise the Education.

The Online Course on" is a comprehensive program designed by faculty members of Aligarh Muslim University equip learners with in-depth knowledge and skills to address one of the most critical global challenges of our time—biodiversity loss. Spanning 12 weeks, the course offers an enriching exploration of biodiversity, conservation strategies, and sustainable practices.

Link to join the Course: https://onlinecourses.swayam2.ac.in/ini25_bt02/preview

Biodiversity ConservationBy Prof. Kaleem Ahmed, Prof. Ahmad Masood Khan | Aligarh Muslim University ABOUT THE COURSE:The "Biodiversity Conservation Online Co...

02/08/2024

AMU faculty receives research grant for Himalayan Tahr conservation

Aligarh, July 30: Prof Orus Ilyas, Department of Wildlife Sciences, Aligarh Muslim University, has been awarded a significant research grant under the SERB-Core Research Grant of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), Government of India. The grant, amounting to approximately Rs. 67 lakhs, has been allocated for the project titled “Assessing the Population Ecology of Himalayan Tahr (Hemitragusjemlahicus) for Conservation Planning”, spanning the regions of the Himalayas from Kashmir to Uttarakhand. Prof Khursheed Ahmed, Head, Division of Wildlife Sciences, Faculty of Forestry, SKUAST-Kashmir, is the Co-Principal Investigator of the project.

Prof Orus Ilyas said that the Himalayan Tahr goat antelope is a most under research and unique species found in a narrow zone around the timberline on the southern side of the Himalayas, specifically in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and parts of Sikkim. Due to a population decline of more than 30%, this species has been placed as Schedule I of Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972.

She said that the study, to be conducted in Uttarakhand, aims to understand the ecology and coexistence of the Himalayan Tahr with other species in its distributional range. The findings will not only contribute to the preservation of this critical species but also enhance the overall biodiversity and ecological balance in the region.


Public Relations Office
Aligarh Muslim University

25/06/2024

The Department of Wildlife Science is pleased to congratulate Dr. Tanveer Ahmed on his appointment as Scientist C at the Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun. Dr. Ahmed, an esteemed alumnus of our department at AMU Aligarh, completed his M.Sc. and Ph.D. with us. We extend our best wishes to him for his future endeavors.

06/03/2024

04/03/2024

𝐌𝐫. 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐬 𝐒𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐡, 𝐈𝐅𝐒 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐌.𝐒𝐜. 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐃𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬

Faculty members Dr. Kaleem Ahmed and Dr. Ahmad Masood Khan, along with MSc students at Keoladeo National Park in Bharatpur, Rajasthan, are on a three-day field tour (3rd March 2024 to 5th March 2024), engaging in discussions about management practices and conservation challenges of Keoladeo National Park with Mr. Manas Singh, IFS (Conservator of Forest and Wildlife), Keoladeo National Park, Bharatpur Rajasthan.

29/02/2024

Many Congratulations to Dr. Kaleem Ahmed and Dr. Ahmad Masood Khan

Seven-Day online course on Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Development

Aligarh, February 29: The seven-day online course on Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Development, organised by the Department of Wildlife Sciences at Aligarh Muslim University in collaboration with the Human Resource Development Centre (HRDC-AMU), concluded recently. The course aimed to raise awareness and promote action for the preservation of biodiversity beyond academic realms, emphasising its relevance in communities and globally.

The inaugural address by Prof. Monowar Alam Khalid from Integral University, Lucknow, provided a comprehensive overview of biodiversity conservation, addressing challenges and potential solutions. Subsequent sessions featured experts like Dr. Mohammad Shah Hussain from the University of Delhi, who discussed eco-restoration, and Prof. Milind M. Sardesai from Savitribai Phule Pune University, who explored archaeo-botany through caves.

Dr. Ambrina Sardar Khan from Integral University, Lucknow, highlighted challenges posed by climate change, while Prof. Orus Ilyas from AMU delved into the link between biodiversity conservation and food security. Prof. Richa Kothari from the Central University of Jammu advocated integrating Sustainable Development Goals into societal frameworks.

Cutting-edge techniques for conserving endangered plants were discussed by Prof. Susheel Verma from the University of Jammu, while Dr. Khursheed Ahmad from SKUAST-Kashmir emphasized the intricate connections between ecosystems and species.



On the penultimate day, Prof. A.L. Ramanathan from Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi, shed light on glaciers and marine ecosystems, stressing their role as vital nutrient reservoirs. Dr. Aisha Sultana from the University of Delhi urged participants to contribute to pollinator conservation.

In the valedictory session, participants expressed gratitude for the insightful course and called for similar programs in the future. Dr. Faiza Abbasi, the Course Coordinator, and Director of UGC-HRDC at AMU, along with Dr. Kaleem Ahmed and Dr. Ahmad Masood Khan from the Department of Wildlife Sciences, were commended for their dedication.

Prof. Satish Kumar, Chairperson of the Department of Wildlife Sciences, lauded the coordinators for their efforts in organizing a course on such a vital topic. The successful conclusion of the course reflects a collective commitment to biodiversity conservation and sustainable development.

Public Relations Office
Aligarh Muslim University

26/02/2024

SIXTH Day highlights of online course on Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Development
The Department of Wildlife Sciences at Aligarh Muslim University, in partnership with the UGC-Human Resource Development Centre (HRDC), Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, is currently hosting an Online Short-Term Course titled 'Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Development' for Faculty Members from February 21 to February 27, 2024. On the sixth day of the course, Professor A.L. Ramanathan from the School of Environmental Sciences at Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi, served as the resource person. Prof Ramanathan delivered an enlightening talk on the multifaceted theme of "Glaciers and Marine Ecosystems," emphasizing the pivotal role glaciers play as reservoirs of minerals and nutrients. Additionally, he underscored the adverse effects of dust, black carbon, and pollution on these delicate ecosystems. Professor Ramanathan also discussed the significance of marine ecosystems such as coral reefs and mangroves, highlighting their role in carbon sequestration and mitigating the impacts of tsunamis. His discourse served as a poignant reminder of our shared duty to preserve our planet's natural wonders.