Zoological Society: Chimaera

Chimaera has been functioning over the years with the aim to inculcate scientific culture and team spirit among the students. Office bearers of Chimera for the year 2019-20 are:

• President- Aritra Chakraborty; B Sc Hons IIIrd year
• Vice-President- Sudeshna Gupta Choudhury; B Sc Hons IInd year
• Secretary- Deepali Saini; B Sc Hons IIIrd year
• Cultural Secretary- Rishabh Soni; B Sc Hons IInd year
• Joint Secretary- Vikas Yadav; B Sc Hons 1st year
• Treasurer- Mohit Rana; B Sc Hons IInd year
• Editor- Camellia Biswas; B Sc Hons IInd year
• CR IIIrd year- Raja Jena
• CR IInd year- Priya
• CR Ist year-Aman

Zoological Society Chimaera had its inaugural function under the aegis of IQAC and DBT Star College on October 4, 2019. The theme for the inaugural function of Chimaera 2019-20 was Glorified reptiles: The Birds. From amazing birds to their diversity in India, and from migration of birds to threats faced by them, the lecture series were delivered by Dr Asad Rahmani, a great ornithologist and Ex Director Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS). There were various events organized in the inaugural function alongside the lecture such as – the Biodiversity Quiz and the Photo exhibition which provided the students of the college as well as of the other colleges a platform for showcasing their talents.

Colloquium

To inculcate scientific aptitude among young minds and make them aware of latest developments in Science, the department has started in 2019 a lecture series Colloquium which is scheduled on every Friday at 12:30 pm. The initiative was led by Dr. Varsha Baweja and the student president is Mr. Kunal Balhara of B Sc Hons IIIrd year and vice president Ms Richa Gupta of B Sc Hons IInd year. A total of 14 talks were held in the academic session 2019-2020, out of which 12 were delivered by distinguished scientists/experts of various fields and 2 talks were delivered by students of the college. These students presented the outcome of the internship or project which they have done previously. Reports of all the lectures were prepared by Ms Ankita Lal, B Sc Hons IIIrd year and have been uploaded on Facebook page of the college.

Biodiversity Club

Biodiversity is the essence of life, therefore, the Department of Zoology has started a Biodiversity Club in 2019 to ignite the young minds and to deepen their knowledge of biodiversity and its conservation. This club was initiated by Dr. Varsha Baweja and the student president Mr. Prithwik Bhowmik of B Sc Hons IIIrd year and vice president Monalisha Singh of B Sc Hons IInd year.
Following activities were organized in the academic year (2019-2020):

1. Under the aegis of DBT Star College a nature walk was organized to explore and document the insect biodiversity of Deshbandhu College Campus on September 28, 2019. 60 students along with mentors Dr Kamal Kumar Gupta (Co-ordinator), Dr Sunil Kayesth, Dr Moses Rinchui, Mr Mohd Shazad, Dr Gouri Nandy, Dr Gajendra Singh and Mr Akshay Dwivedi participated in the programme. The college campus was divided into 6 zones depending on the density of vegetation cover of the area. More than 100 different types of insects belonging to order Thysanura, Odonata, Orthoptera, Dermaptra, Embioptera, Dictyoptera, Isoptera, Thysanoptera, Lepidoptera, Diptera and Hymenoptera, Coleoptera were observed. The most commonly observed insects were butterflies, moths, bees, wasps, different types of flies and beetles. The insects were captured in camera.

2. A nature walk to Okhla Bird Sanctuary intending to observe and assess, both the flora and the fauna of the sanctuary, with special emphasis on the avian population was organized on January 23, 2020 under the guidance of Dr Varsha Baweja and alumnus of the department and biodiversity extraordinaire Akshay Dwivedi. 50 students along with teachers Dr Kiran Bala, Dr Gouri Nandi, Dr Sushma Sharma and Dr Gajendra Singh participated in this one day long visit. Around 60 birds belonging to various families were observed. To name a few there were Brown headed barbet, Pied bushchat, Indian grey hornbill, Purple swamphen, Great cormorant, White breasted Kingfisher, Red Whiskered bulbul, Black-headed Gull, Painted stork, Spot-billed duck, Little Grebe, Common Moorhen, Common Chifchaf, Purple heron, Great white pelican. In hindsight, this excursion was as fruitful as they come because the students gained knowledge of a plethora of birds as well as the ecology of that region.

3. A quiz on Blue Revolution was organized on February 14, 2020 to generate awareness about conservation of biodiversity among the students. Ms Vandana Saini, B Sc Hons IIIrd year and Ms Richa Gupta (Vice President, Colloquium), B Sc hons IIIrd year were the quiz masters.