THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:
The city-based Centre for Innovation in Science and Social Action (CISSA), a 10-year-old NGO, was presented with the Award for the Best Biodiversity Organization, instituted by the Kerala State Biodiversity Board. CISSA General Secretary Dr. C. Suresh Kumar and Ecology division head Dr. P.N. Krishnan received the award from Sri Kadakampally Surendran, Minister for Tourism, Cooperation and Devaswoms, at the inauguration of the Biodiversity Museum of the Kerala State Biodiversity Board.
CISSA has been doing commendable work towards sustainable development, biodiversity conservation, safe food, organic agriculture and traditional knowledge. Founded in 2006, with 20 members consisting of doctors, engineers, scientists, teachers, social workers, and policy makers who have the passion and vision to commit themselves to the society, CISSA has created its own niche in the sustainable development initiatives of Kerala.
The CISSA team under various directors provides foresighted guidance and orientation for its diverse feats bridging science with the society. Biodiversity conservation, energy management, organic farming and good food movement are among the many such activities. CISSA is also the headquarters of the Regional Centre for Expertise (RCE), Thiruvananthapuram acknowledged by United Nations University.
CISSA’s customized initiatives for bridging between science and society include biennial events such as Global Ayurveda Festival and Expo; Annam Good Food Movement and Expo; Annual Children’s Agri Science Congress; Waste management missions particularly in managing electronic waste and phasing out of Mercury, National Jackfruit Fest, National Banana Fest and more.
CISSA also has a separate wing called Lightning Awareness and Research Centre (LARC) for providing guidance and service against lightning hazards. CISSA’s Organic Farming Resource Centre (OFRC) in turn is a devoted wing for fostering organic farming through expert training and the much needed organic farming inputs for people. The IBC, held biennially since 2010, continues to be the largest colloquium of biodiversity experts in the country.
Recently, the UN University had conferred Regional Centre of Expertise status duly acknowledging the expertise available at CISSA. The annual Children’s Agri Science Congress of CISSA had bagged famous Tokyo-based Okayama Award in 2017.
