Policy for Monitoring IUCN and Other Conservation Species

Policy for Monitoring IUCN and Other Conservation Species

Policy for Monitoring IUCN and Other Conservation Species
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 Monitoring IUCN and Other Conservation Species” 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
    1. The purpose of this policy is to guide Swami Rama Himalayan University in monitoring, supporting, and aligning with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species and other recognized conservation frameworks. This policy ensures that the organization’s activities, procurement, research, and land management practices contribute positively to biodiversity conservation and avoid harm to threatened, endangered, or protected species.
  3. Scope
    1. All departments, projects, and operations that may impact wildlife or natural habitats.
    2. All procurement, construction, landscaping, or agricultural activities undertaken by Swami Rama Himalayan University.
    3. All suppliers, contractors, and partners engaged in activities that interact with ecosystems or biological resources.
    4. Research and educational activities involving flora, fauna, or natural ecosystems.
  4. Goals
    1. Identify and monitor species of conservation concern within and around Swami Rama Himalayan University’s areas of influence.
    2. Ensure that no organizational activity causes harm to IUCN Red List species or other legally protected flora and fauna.
    3. Incorporate biodiversity conservation into all relevant operational and planning processes.
    4. Collaborate with conservation bodies, government agencies, and NGOs to support species protection and monitoring.
    5. Raise awareness within the organization about biodiversity and conservation responsibilities.
  5. Implementation Measures
    1. Monitoring and Data Management
      1. Maintain an up-to-date database of species identified within or near Swami Rama Himalayan University’s areas of operation, referencing the IUCN Red List, CITES Appendices, and national protected species lists.
      2. Conduct periodic biodiversity surveys and ecological assessments.
      3. Use geographic information systems (GIS) and ecological tools to map habitats and species distributions.
      4. Report sightings or impacts on conservation-listed species to the relevant environmental authorities.
    2. Compliance and Risk Prevention
      1. Screen all projects and developments for potential impacts on IUCN-listed or protected species before approval.
      2. Implement Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) and Biodiversity Management Plans (BMPs) for relevant projects.
      3. Avoid habitat destruction, pollution, or disturbances that could negatively affect vulnerable species.
      4. Where impacts are unavoidable, develop mitigation and restoration plans in consultation with conservation experts.
    3. Procurement and Supplier Requirements
      1. Prohibit the purchase, trade, or use of any materials or products derived from IUCN Red List or CITES-listed species.
      2. Require suppliers and contractors to comply with biodiversity protection laws and standards.
      3. Include biodiversity protection and monitoring requirements in procurement contracts and sustainability criteria.
    4. Collaboration and Partnerships
      1. Work with government agencies, conservation organizations, and local communities to protect species and their habitats.
      2. Participate in biodiversity monitoring programs, citizen science initiatives, and habitat restoration efforts.
      3. Support academic and research projects that contribute to the understanding and conservation of endangered species.
    5. Awareness and Capacity Building
      1. Provide training for staff, students, and contractors on conservation species identification and protection measures.
      2. Disseminate information on the IUCN Red List and related conservation frameworks.
      3. Encourage research, innovation, and volunteering in biodiversity conservation initiatives.
  6. Monitoring and Reporting
    1. Establish biodiversity performance indicators (e.g., number of species monitored, restoration projects initiated, compliance rate).
    2. Conduct annual reviews of species lists and conservation measures.
    3. Report results and progress through the organization’s Sustainability or Environmental Report.
    4. Review project activities for compliance with IUCN and national biodiversity guidelines.
  7. This policy shall be reviewed every three years or earlier if required to accommodate new educational practices, regulatory requirements, or emerging student needs.
  8. The University reserves the right to interpret, alter, amend, modify, cancel or withdraw any or all provision mentioned herein above in this policy without any notice.
  9. 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.