Inter IISER Moth Count Campaign

Inter-IISER Moth Count Campaign - Celebrating National Moth Week

The Inter-IISER Moth Count Campaign, held from July 17 to July 24, 2021, celebrated National Moth Week and marked the first initiative by the All-IISER Conservation Committee. This event brought together IISER campuses across India with a focus on raising awareness about moth biodiversity and their critical roles in ecosystems as pollinators, food sources, and indicators of environmental health. Participants from various IISERs engaged in moth-watching sessions, documenting and photographing local moth species, contributing to a collaborative database for comparative analysis across regions. The campaign not only educated participants about the ecological significance of moths but also highlighted the threats they face, such as habitat loss, light pollution, and climate change. By fostering a sense of responsibility for conservation, the event laid the groundwork for future collaborative initiatives and underscored the importance of preserving biodiversity, particularly in Indias rich North Eastern states.

conducted at IISER Berhampur on 17th of July, 2021

The All-IISER Conservation Committee and its Mission

The All-IISER Conservation Committee, a new initiative by students and faculty across IISERs, aims to address pressing environmental and climate-related challenges through scientific inquiry, awareness campaigns, and community engagement. By celebrating National Moth Week, the committee took a significant first step in fostering an appreciation for biodiversity and building a network of IISER students dedicated to ecological conservation. This inaugural campaign particularly highlighted the unique biodiversity of the 8 North Eastern States of India, a region recognized as one of the worlds 18 mega-biodiversity hotspots due to its high species richness and endemism.

Campaign Highlights: Documenting Moth Diversity and Ecosystem Health

Throughout the week, students, researchers, and faculty members across IISERs conducted moth-watching sessions, documenting and photographing moth species found on and around their campuses. The event encouraged participants to learn and apply various moth identification techniques, contributing valuable data on moth diversity within each region. By sharing observations on digital platforms, IISERs created a collaborative database of moth species and regional biodiversity, allowing for comparative analysis across different geographic and climatic zones.

Building Awareness and Inspiring Conservation Action

The Inter-IISER Moth Count Campaign was more than just a documentation exercise; it was an opportunity to educate participants on the critical role moths play in ecosystems. As pollinators and food sources within the food web, moths contribute to the health of plant and animal communities. This event raised awareness about the threats moths face, including habitat loss, light pollution, and climate change, and promoted discussions on ways to mitigate these impacts. By engaging students in active conservation, the All-IISER Conservation Committee fostered a sense of responsibility and commitment to biodiversity preservation among future scientists.

Towards a Lasting Conservation Impact

The success of the Inter-IISER Moth Count Campaign not only celebrated National Moth Week but also set the foundation for future collaborative conservation efforts across IISERs. This campaign showcased the power of collective action and data-sharing, building momentum for upcoming initiatives by the All-IISER Conservation Committee. By targeting one of Indias richest ecological regions, the committee highlighted the importance of preserving biodiversity in sensitive ecosystems and underscored IISERs role in contributing to sustainable solutions for environmental conservation.