In his inaugural address he said that there was a need for the human race to be more prudent in optimizing the use of natural resources. He also pointed to the decline of marine biological resources due to unabated pollution that was only aggravated by climate change.

Over 500 delegates comprising of renowned scientists, teachers, researchers and students are taking part in the event. There are 150 oral presentations and around 200 poster displays. Themed on ecosystem conservation, climate change and sustainable development, the ECOCASD 2013 opens debates on environmental issues of significance. The outcome of the three-day deliberations would add to setting stable ways to the idea of conservation and sustainable development, according to the organizing secretary of the event, Dr A Biju Kumar.

Earlier Prof P Natarajan, director of Ethiopia's Ambo University gave an introductory speech. Dr Claude Boyd presented Padmasree N Balakrishnan Nair Memorial Environmental Excellence award to Dr N R Menon, Coordinator of INDOMARECLIM, an EU project. The award comprised of a gold medal and citation.

Vice-chancellor of the Science and Technology University of Meghalaya, Dr PK Abdul Aziz was honoured on the occasion by the Banglore-based Society for Advancements in Biology.