The 7th International Conference on Plants and Environmental Pollution (ICPEP–7), jointly organized by the International Society of Environmental Botanists (ISEB) and CSIR–National Botanical Research Institute (CSIR–NBRI), concluded today with a grand Valedictory Ceremony at 3:00 PM. Shri Awanish Kumar Awasthi, IAS (Retd.), Advisor to the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, graced the event as the Chief Guest.

In his welcome address, Dr. A. K. Shasany, Director, CSIR–NBRI, emphasized that the outcomes of ICPEP–7 would guide the institution’s future research and innovation missions. He stated that the conference marks a beginning for strengthened collaborations, science-based environmental stewardship, and technology-driven solutions for pollution mitigation.

Addressing the gathering, Shri Awasthi appreciated the conference for generating actionable plant-based strategies toward environmental protection and sustainable development. He reiterated India’s rich biodiversity and called for deeper scientific studies on aquatic pollution, invasive aquatic weeds, and their management. Highlighting large-scale greening efforts in Uttar Pradesh, he informed that more than 2 billion saplings have been planted in the last five years under the visionary leadership of Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Yogi Adityanath Ji, accounting for nearly one-third of India’s total plantation efforts.

The conference witnessed vibrant participation from students, researchers, and young scientists across India through poster presentations showcasing innovative environmental research. During the valedictory ceremony, outstanding contributors were felicitated for their exemplary poster presentations.

M. Pandey (BARC Mumbai), Ms. Aditi Pathak (CSIR–NBRI), Negi P. (BARC Mumbai), Anisha Ganguly (WII Dehradun), Disha Mishra (CSIR–CIMAP), Disha Maitra (CSIR–NBRI), Ekta Gupta (CSIR–NBRI), Vitasta Jad (CSIR–NIO Goa), Stuti Jain (NEHU Shillong), Tushar A. Lohit (CSIR–NBRI), Himanshu Sharma (CSIR–NBRI), Meghna Jaiswal (DDU Gorakhpur University), Naziya Syed (CSIR–CIMAP), Shelly Chauhan (BITS Pilani), Waseem Siddique (CSIR–NBRI), Netra Kesharwani (University of Allahabad), Dipanwita Datta (Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University Dhaka), Rosani Kumari Shaw (CSIR–CDRI), Jasbeer Kaur (CSIR–NBRI), Ankesh Tiwari (Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya), Vivek Verma (Thapar Institute of Engineering & Technology), Sowmya (Mangalore University), Mariya Naseem (CSIR–NBRI), and Jyoti (CSIR–CIMAP).

On this occasion, Dr. U. C. Lavania, Emeritus Scientist, was conferred the ISEB Honorary Fellowship. Dr. Vivek Pandey, Vice-President, ISEB and Organizing Secretary, presented the conference report, followed by the vote of thanks delivered by Dr. Soumit K. Behera, Secretary, ISEB.

Earlier in the day, the final technical sessions of ICPEP–7 focused on climate resilience, geospatial modelling, ecosystem behaviour, ethnobotany, and the biochemical strategies of plants under pollution stress. Eminent speakers included Prof. Biswajeet Pradhan (University of Technology Sydney), Prof. Mukunda Dev Behera (IIT Kharagpur), Prof. Ajay Sharma (Auburn University, USA), Dr. Debasis Chakrabarty (CSIR–NBRI), and Dr. Dalip Kumar Upreti, who shared valuable insights into Indian lichens and their potential applications.

The conference concluded on a strong note of collaboration, scientific exchange, and the collective commitment to addressing global environmental challenges. ICPEP–7 reaffirmed the importance of strengthening global partnerships and accelerating research to ensure ecological resilience and sustainable development.