EIACP Programme Centre, IIT (ISM) Dhanbad Launches Certificate Course on ‘Nature Conservation cum Ecotourism Guide’

Dhanbad:
The EIACP Programme Centre under the Department of Environmental Science and Engineering (ESE), IIT (ISM) Dhanbad, has launched a certificate course titled ‘Nature Conservation cum Ecotourism Guide’ under the Green Skill Development Programme (GSDP). This three-month course will run from January 5 to March 6, 2026, with support from the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEF&CC), Government of India.
The inaugural programme was graced by Mr. Vikas Paliwal, Divisional Forest Officer, Dhanbad (Jharkhand), as the Chief Guest. Also present on the occasion were Prof. Sunil Kumar Gupta, Dean (Students’ Welfare), IIT (ISM) Dhanbad; Prof. Manish Kumar Jain (ESE Department); Prof. Vipin Kumar, Associate Dean–Faculty; and Prof. Suresh Pandian, Associate Professor, ESE Department, EIACP Co-Coordinator and Course Co-Convener.
Faculty members, research scholars and students participated in the programme along with 30 participants from Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.
In his welcome address, Prof. Suresh Pandian stated that the objective of the course is to develop technical understanding related to ecosystems and biodiversity conservation, while also promoting environmental awareness through responsible ecotourism. Addressing the participants, Prof. Sunil Kumar Gupta, Dean (Students’ Welfare), encouraged them to actively engage in both classroom learning and field-based activities so that they can emerge as responsible nature conservators and ambassadors of sustainable tourism.
In his address, Chief Guest Mr. Vikas Paliwal highlighted that trained nature conservators and ecotourism guides can play a vital role in protecting forest ecosystems through community participation and responsible tourism. Prof. Vipin Kumar also shared his views on the importance of green skills and sustainable development.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Prof. Manish Kumar Jain, who expressed gratitude to the MoEF&CC, Government of India, for its support, appreciated the institutional backing of IIT (ISM) Dhanbad, and extended special thanks to the Institute’s Director, Prof. Sukumar Mishra, for his guidance.
This three-month certificate course is an important step towards creating a pool of green-skilled youth in the field of nature conservation and sustainable ecotourism, reinforcing IIT (ISM) Dhanbad’s commitment to national environmental and green skill initiatives.