The Eastern Ghats are an ancient discontinuous chain of low mountains along the east coast of India covering an area of 75000 sq.km. Despite the fact that the Eastern Ghats are home to several endemic flora and fauna, like the Red Sanders tree and the Golden Gecko, habitats are rapidly being degraded or lost entirely. With increasing development in the region, there is a need for urgent scientific research and conservation action. 

This symposium aims to bring together researchers, managers and policy-makers who have worked in the landscape in the last two decades or more, in an attempt to consolidate existing knowledge, promote dialogue and collaborations.

We invite active researchers from academia, as well as ecological science professionals working across the domains of ecology, evolution, behaviour, and conservation, to join us for a meaningful and engaging three-day meeting.

Themes to be covered: Ecology and Behaviour, Evolution, Conservation & Management, Outreach & Education, Human Communities & Livelihoods, Geology, Human History.

24-26 November, 2025

Abstract submission is open till 15 November 2025

Registration deadline: 20 November 2025

Who can attend the event?

Applications for participation are invited from researchers, educators,  and conservation practitioners in academic institutions or non-governmental organisations, government officials, and independent researchers who have worked in the Eastern Ghats landscape.

Registration is open in the categories:

• Research scholars: Project researchers (within two years of completion of Bachelor's or Master’s degrees), Students (Bachelors, Masters, PhD) and Post-Doctoral Fellows
• Professionals and Faculty: NGO representatives/Independent researchers/ Government Officials/Journalists/ Faculty members/ Scientists

Registration fees

1. Category A - With Accommodation

• Research Scholars: 4500/- per person
• Faculty and Professionals: 8000/- per person
  Includes participation and accommodation from 24-26 November (Three nights and three days), as well as all meals from 24-26 November (except dinner on 26 Nov). 
  

2. Category B - Without Accommodation

• Research Scholars: 3500/- per person
• Faculty and Professionals: 6500/- per person
  Includes participation and all meals from 24-26 November (except dinner on 26 Nov). Information regarding potential accommodation options outside the IISER Tirupati campus will be announced.
  

3. Category C - Daily registration

• Research Scholars: 2000/- per person
• Faculty and Professionals: 3500/- per person
  Includes participation and all meals for one day. Those wishes to participate for only one day of the conference can avail this option. On-the-spot daily registration will be available at the venue.

Accommodation for research scholars will be provided in the student hostels (double occupancy rooms) at IISER Tirupati. The Guest House at IISER Tirupati will be provided for Faculty and Professionals on a first-come-first serve basis due to limited availability of rooms. Registration fees do not cover travel expenses or any additional costs (such as local travel, or meals and accommodation outside the conference dates).

Process

Registration and Abstract Submission (details below) are completed in the same form. Please pay the registration fee to the IISER Tirupati bank account before filling out the form, as you will have to provide an online transaction ID/number and attach the proof of payment (screenshot) to complete your registration.

Beneficiary name: Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Tirupati
Bank name: State Bank of India
Branch name: IIT Campus Branch Tirupati
Account No. : 35029946671
IFSC Code: SBIN0064604
MICR: 517002012
SWIFT Code: SBININBB324

Abstract Submission Guidelines

Participants are encouraged to submit abstracts either for poster presentations or talks at the Eastern Ghats Symposium, Tirupati.

Your submission should include a Title and a Structured Abstract of 250 words (maximum)with Objectives, Methodology, Findings, Conclusions.

Submit your title and abstract through the online Registration Form (link below). We will inform you of the acceptance of your abstract by 10 November 2024, and will assign it to an appropriate thematic session.

Click here for the Registration form 

The IISER Tirupati campus will be the venue for the Symposium (events and accommodation). Located at the scenic foothills of the Tirumala Hills of the Eastern Ghats, the campus is close to the tropical dry evergreen forests on the nearby slopes, and is surrounded by open scrub forest, marshes, and rice fields.

Steering Committee
Farida Tampal, World Wide Fund for Nature – India
Hema Somanathan, IISER Thiruvananthapuram
Harish Prakash, GITAM Vishakapatnam
Anuapama Krishnamurthy, French Institute Pondicherry
Kavita Isvaran, Indian Institute of Science
Jeganathan P, Nature Conservation Foundation 
Manoj Nair, Odisha Forest Department
Raja Bandi, World Wide Fund for Nature – India
Nandini Rajamani, IISER Tirupati

Local Organising Committee at IISER Tirupati
Robin VV
Swati Udayraj
Rakesh Muni
Deepti Chandraprakash
Zeba Madani
Aravind PS
Siva Sankari G 
Hareesha AS
Shruti Gupta

Reach us at
[email protected]