Biodiversity – the diversity of life on Earth – underpins human wellbeing, livelihood and sustainable development. Yet, it is declining at an unprecedented rate. Globally, land-use change, resource use and exploitation, climate change, pollution, and invasive alien species are the direct drivers contributing to deterioration and loss of biodiversity. Transformative actions are required at local, national and global levels to reverse this trend taking into account the three objectives of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD): conservation of biological diversity, sustainable use of its components and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources. If we are to achieve CBD objectives and the 2030 agendas for sustainable development, we must find better ways to manage human’s footprints on Earth and hence manage biodiversity for the current and future generations.

Biodiversity, both plant as well as animal, is a resource for sustainable use and development. Plants are recognized as a vital component of biodiversity and healthy ecosystems. They provide food, fiber, fuel, shelter, medicine and a range of ecosystem services. The potentiality of biodiversity can be tapped through bioprospecting – an exploration of biodiversity for new resources of social and commercial values, has multiple goals including conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity for commercial purposes like medicinal drugs, biochemical, cosmetics. Bioprospecting has huge potential for conservation, sustainable use and the welfare of the society and humankind.

In the arena of biodiversity and bioprospecting, several scientific findings and innovations have been described and implemented in the recent years. In addition, local communities and indigenous people have biodiversity related rich traditional knowledge. Ethnobotany has evolved and contributed to advance our understanding of people-plant interactions. Medicinal plants play an important role in curing various diseases and has immense value for economy. Sharing the existing research findings, innovations and experiences and exploring new opportunities on biodiversity and bioprospecting is important for a prosperous future. In this backdrop, an “International Conference on Biodiversity and Bioprospecting” is planned under the leadership of the Department of Plant Resources (DPR) of the Ministry of Forest and Environment (MoFE), Government of Nepal in collaboration with Universities and prominent national and international organizations.

Aim and Objectives

The conference aims to bring together academicians, scientists, researchers, experts, managers and policy makers to share and discuss existing problems, latest innovations, emerging opportunities and future priorities in the field of biodiversity and bioprospecting. It aims to open an avenue for enhancing understanding of different aspects of conservation and sustainable utilization of biodiversity. The main objectives of the conference are as follows:

• Share and exchange research findings, knowledge and experiences on biodiversity and bioprospecting among wider stakeholders;
• Encourage scientists and researchers by providing platform to present research findings to strengthen capacity in plant and allied science;
• Develop strategic direction for future research and development in the field of biodiversity and bioprospecting.

Conference Themes
The conference covers biodiversity especially focused on plant diversity, major threats to plant diversity conservation, traditional knowledge, medicinal plants, plant based products, modern tools and technologies etc. There are several aspects of biodiversity and bioprospecting, hence some additional topics can be considered. The following are the major themes of the conference.

• Plant Systematics
• Plant Diversity Conservation
• Biological Invasion
• Climate Change
• Ethnobotany and Traditional Knowledge
• MAPs and Natural Products
• Bioprospecting and Innovations

Call for Abstract and Paper

Original and unpublished research papers related to the themes of this conference are expected for oral or poster presentation. Abstract should be in Times New Roman, 12 fonts, including title, author(s) name and address (highlighting corresponding author, affiliation, email address of all authors, mobile number), up to 6 key words and should not exceed 250 words. The abstract should be submitted to the conference secretariat through email: info.icbb22@gmail.com by May 10, 2022. The abstract will be reviewed and accepted papers/posters will be notified on May 25, 2022. All accepted abstracts for conference will be published in a conference Abstract Book. Presenters will be requested to submit their full paper by July 30, 2022. The selected papers, after rigorous review process, will be published in Journal of Plant Resources as a special issue.
•    Abstract submission: May 10, 2022
•    Notification of acceptance of Abstract: May 25, 2022
•    Full paper submission: July 30, 2022

Advisory Committee
Dr. Pem Narayan Kandel, Secretary, Ministry of Forests and Environment, GoN, Nepal
Dr. Sunil Babu Shrestha, Vice Chancellor, Nepal Academy of Science and Technology
Prof. Dr. Bir Bahadur Khanal Chhetri Dean, Institute of Forestry, Tribhuvan University
Prof. Dr. Balram Bhatta, Dean, Faculty of Forestry, Agriculture and Forestry University
Dr. Sudeep Thakuri, Dean, Faculty of Science and Technology, Mid-West University
Dr. Pema Gyamtsho, Director General, International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development
Dr. Prahlad Kumar Thapa, Country Representative, IUCN Nepal
Mr. Sharad Chandra Adhikary, Member Secretary, National Trust for Nature Conservation
Dr. Ghanshyam Gurung, Country Representative, WWF Nepal
Dr. Hem Sagar Baral, Country Representative, ZSL Nepal

Organizing Committee
Dr. Buddi Sagar Poudel, Director General, Department of Plant Resources
Representative, Ministry of Forest and Environment, GoN
Prof. Dr. Santosh Rayamajhi, TU/ IOF
Mr. Shreehari Bhattarai, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Forestry, AFU
Ms. Savita Dhungana, Assistant Professor, Central Campus of Science and Technology, Mid-West University
Dr. Kanti Shrestha, Chief Scientific Officer, NAST
Dr. Sunita Chaudhary, Ecosystem Services Specialist, ICIMOD
Ms. Racchya Shah, Program Manager, IUCN Nepal
Dr. Chiranjibi Prasad Pokheral, Program Manager, NTNC
Dr. Ananta Bhandari, Head of Forests and Landscape Program, WWF Nepal
Dr. Bhagwan Raj Dahal, Deputy Country Manager, ZSL Nepal

Coming Soon

Conference Secretariat
Dr. Seerjana Maharjan, Contact no.: +977-9841419030
Mr. Dinesh Baral, Contact no.: +977-9841661223
Department of Plant Resources, Thapathali, Kathmandu, Nepal
Tel: +977-01-5351161 Email: info.icbb22@gmail.com Website: www.dpr.gov.np