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Policy for Alien Species Impact Reduction

Policy for Alien Species Impact Reduction

Policy for Alien Species Impact Reduction

Approved Board of Management on 12th January 2019
Notification Notified by Registrar vide notification No. SRHU/Reg/OO/2019-04 (i) dated 15th January 2019
Reviewed / Revised Board of Management on 29th March 2022
Notification Notified by Registrar vide notification No. SRHU/Reg/OO/2022-58 (i) dated 5th April 2022
Next Review 2025–26
  1. Short Title & Commencement
    1. This Policy shall be called the “Policy for Alien Species Impact Reduction” of Swami Rama Himalayan University.
    2. This Policy shall be deemed to have come into force from the date of approval of the Board of Management of the University.
  2. Purpose The purpose of this policy is to establish Swami Rama Himalayan University’s commitment to preventing, managing, and reducing the impacts of alien (non-native) species on local ecosystems, biodiversity, and natural resources.This policy supports UN Sustainable Development Goal 15: Life on Land and aligns with international frameworks such as the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and relevant national invasive species management regulations.
  3. Scope This policy applies to:
    1. All lands, facilities, research areas, and green spaces managed or owned by Swami Rama Himalayan University.
    2. All operational, landscaping, agricultural, educational, and research activities that may introduce or spread alien species.
    3. All employees, students, contractors, suppliers, and partners working on campus or organizational sites.
  4. Goals The policy goals are to:
    1. Prevent intentional or accidental introduction of alien species through operations, landscaping, or trade.
    2. Identify, monitor, and manage invasive alien species within areas of influence.
    3. Restore habitats degraded by invasive species.
    4. Promote awareness, research, and community participation in alien species control and prevention.
    5. Ensure compliance with national and international biosecurity and conservation laws.
  5. Implementation Measures
    1. Prevention and Early Detection
      1. Conduct risk assessments before introducing any plant or animal species for landscaping, research, or educational purposes.
      2. Maintain a list of approved native or non-invasive species for landscaping and agricultural use.
      3. Prohibit the import, cultivation, or trade of species listed as invasive under national laws or IUCN guidelines.
      4. Implement strict biosecurity measures for imported plants, seeds, or biological materials.
      5. Train staff and students to identify and report potential invasive species sightings.
    2. Control and Management
      1. Regularly survey campus or operational areas to identify and monitor alien species.
      2. Develop and implement Invasive Species Management Plans (ISMPs) for affected areas.
      3. Use ecologically safe control measures (manual removal, biological control, or habitat management) instead of harmful chemicals.
      4. Coordinate with local authorities and conservation agencies for safe removal and disposal of invasive species biomass.
    3. Habitat Restoration
      1. After removal of alien species, implement native vegetation replanting programs to restore ecological balance.
      2. Rehabilitate degraded areas using local species adapted to regional ecosystems.
      3. Promote buffer zones to prevent reintroduction of alien species.
    4. Research and Collaboration
      1. Support and participate in research on invasive species ecology, prevention, and control.
      2. Collaborate with government departments, NGOs, and universities for data sharing and joint initiatives.
      3. Contribute to local, regional, or national invasive species databases and monitoring systems.
    5. Awareness and Capacity Building
      1. Provide training on identification, reporting, and management of invasive species.
      2. Integrate alien species awareness into sustainability, environmental education, and biology programs.
    6. 5.6 Supplier and Contractor Requirements
      1. Require suppliers and contractors (e.g., landscapers, nurseries, agricultural vendors) to comply with this policy and avoid using or introducing invasive species.
      2. Include alien species control clauses in all landscaping, agriculture, and maintenance contracts.
      3. Verify that materials supplied (e.g., soil, mulch, plants) are free from alien species seeds or fragments.
      4. Monitoring and Reporting for Compliance
        1. The Sustainability Committee shall maintain records of alien species identified, controlled, or removed.
        2. Monitor progress annually, including:
          1. Species monitored and managed,
          2. Area restored, and
          3. Reduction in invasive species coverage.
        3. Report findings in the annual Sustainability or Environmental Performance Report.
        4. Review and update management practices based on new scientific information or regulations.
        All staff, students, contractors, and partners must adhere to this policy and applicable national biosecurity and biodiversity protection laws.
      5. This policy shall be reviewed every three years or earlier if required to accommodate new educational practices, regulatory requirements, or emerging student needs.
      6. The University reserves the right to interpret, alter, amend, modify, cancel, or withdraw any or all provisions mentioned herein without notice.
      7. In case of any dispute, the decision of the Vice Chancellor of the University shall be final and binding.
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International Endowed Chair Professor

Prof Rakesh Kumar

Prof Rakesh Kumar is the Founder and President of the Breast Cancer in Young Women Foundation (USA), dedicated to vaddressing the distinct issues affecting young women with breast cancer. He also serves as the International Endowed Chair Professor at the Cancer Research Institute of the Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences. Additionally, he holds adjunct professorships at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School and Virginia Commonwealth University.

Dr Kumar earned his Ph.D. from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in 1984 and began his research career at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in January 1986. From 1988 to 2017, he held various academic and leadership positions —including faculty member, tenured professor, distinguished professor, endowed chair, department chair, and research leader—at esteemed institutions such as Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York and the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. From 2017 to 2022, he served as the National Chair for Cancer Research for the Government of India and as a distinguished professor, continuing his innovative work in breast cancer research.

With nearly 40 years of research and professional experience, Dr. Kumar has made conceptual contributions to the field of cancer research (h-index 108, citations >50,000). He has authored over 325 peer-reviewed publications, edited or co-edited nine books, and delivered 290 invited lectures worldwide. His work has been featured on the covers of 18 major cancer journals and has been highlighted in institutional research reports of the MD Anderson Cancer Center.

A passionate educator and mentor, Dr. Kumar has guided 67 trainees throughout his career. He serves on the editorial boards of multiple leading cancer journals and has served on the editorial boards of 21 top cancer journals. His global reputation is further demonstrated by his participation in about 100 peer-review panels for cancer research funding in the US and internationally over the past 28 years.

Dr. Kumar's innovative research has earned him numerous prestigious honors, including the Hinkle Society Faculty Award at Penn State University (1994), the Dalla/Fort Worth Living Legend Faculty Achievement Award in Basic Sciences (2004), the Ranbaxy Research Award (2006), and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Association of Indian Scientists in Cancer Research (2013), among others. Dr. Kumar's pioneering research continues to have a profound influence on the fields of oncology and breast cancer, opening up new opportunities for biomedical scientists and trainees worldwide.