By Melton Suares for BIS Mumbai

Eighteen Don Bosco Lonavla students and two teaching staff attended the 'Conservation/Conversation Symposium - A Dialogue on Nature, Climate and the World Around Us' at the Krishna Kotak owned Abbey 301 - a Cultural and Performance Arts hub in Khandala, on the weekend of September 19-20, 2026. The symposium brought together conservationists, botanists and ecologists to discuss environmental challenges, with particular focus on the Western Ghats and the Lonavala-Khandala Maval hill region.

The event gained added relevance following the exceptionally heavy rainfall recorded in the region, in July 2026. More than 670mm of rain fell within 24 hours, highlighting the vulnerability of hill regions to extreme weather events.

The opening session was led by Dr Anish Andheria, President and CEO of the Wildlife Conservation Trust and a field biologist. He addressed human-wildlife conflict, pressure on India’s ecosystems and the links between environmental problems, land use and natural resource management. Discussions also examined water consumption, misuse of resources and threats to wildlife, including the Indian pangolin.

Participants were introduced to the ecological significance of the Northern Western Ghats and the geological history of India’s major mountain systems, including the Aravallis, Vindhyas, Eastern Ghats, Western Ghats and the Himalayas.

The second session featured Aparna Watve, coordinator of the Western Ghats Plant Specialist Group of the IUCN Species Survival Commission, and ecologist Manasi Karandikar, co-founder and managing partner of Oikos. Their presentations focused on ecological restoration, landscape planning, the future of the Western Ghats and the environmental impact of certain development practices.

Speakers stressed that environmental protection requires the involvement of local communities, institutions, citizens and young people. Discussions explored the growing pressure placed on forests, rivers and wildlife by development, construction and expanding human activity.

For the students, who were sponsored entry for this Symposium by the Kotaks, this participation connected wider environmental concerns with the realities of life in Lonavala and served as a mighty ecological eye-opener. The symposium concluded with a call for greater environmental understanding and responsible action in everyday life.