Jalandhar June 5 (Jaswinder Singh Azad)- Zoology Department of Hans Raj Mahila Maha Vidyalaya organized ‘One Day Seminar cum Workshop on Limnological investigations with special reference to Plankton Diversity’. This workshop was conducted to provide practical experience to the students regarding the various methods used for monitoring of water quality and identification of numerous freshwater planktons which act as water quality indicator. The Resource Person of the workshop was Dr. Rajinder Jindal, Former Chairperson of Environmental Sciences and Professor, Dept. of Zoology, Panjab University, Chandigarh.
The workshop started with the green welcome of the guest with a planter presented by Dr. Seema Marwaha, Dean Academics and Head of Zoology Department. Dr. Marwaha introduced the guest to the students and laid emphasis on the importance of seminars and workshops other than curricular activities which break the monotony of regular teaching, provide a platform for the students to interact with the experts and develop the scientific aptitude and interest towards variety of research areas.
Dr. Jindal elaborated the methods of identification of various planktons
Dr. Jindal, a Limnologist with expertise in water pollution and bio-monitoring, emphasised about the importance of water quality parameters in determining the diversity of phytoplankton in any aquatic ecosystem. He explained the various methods of parameters to analyse water quality such as Biological Oxygen Demand, Dissolved Oxygen (using DO meter), pH (using pH meter), water hardness, alkalinity etc. Further, Dr. Jindal elaborated the methods of identification of various planktons which acts as water quality indicators and gave Hands on Training on the correct way of collecting planktons from Pond water, preparation of slide and viewing under the microscope to identify them.
Students of B.Sc. (Medical) and B.Sc. BT enthusiastically participated in the workshop and gave encouraging feedback to organize more workshops in future. Principal, Prof. Dr. (Mrs.) Ajay Sareen inspired the students to take part in such workshops in order to gain practical training and a deeper understanding of the subject. Dr. Sakshi Verma, presented the vote of thanks and emphasised on the importance of enhancing practical skills through workshop and Hands on Training. Mr. Ravi Kumar, from Zoology Department assisted in organizing the workshop. Lab attendant Mr. Sachin helped in setting of venue and arrangement of chemicals and other requirements for the workshop.