Drass, June 30: A proud moment for Ladakh as the team from Government Degree College Drass secured the Second Position at the National Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) Hackathon 2026 held in Kolkata.
The winning team from the Department of Zoology, led by Dr. Javed M Iqbal, along with Dr. Talib Hussain and student Mudassir Hussain, impressed the jury with their innovative project titled “Traditional Knowledge for Biodiversity Conservation.”
The team also bagged the Second Best Presenter Award and received a cash prize of ₹75,000 for their remarkable contribution towards biodiversity conservation.
The project showcased a unique approach by combining citizen science, digital technology and traditional knowledge to involve local communities in protecting biodiversity.
The award ceremony was attended by Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Bhupender Yadav, who felicitated the winners and appreciated their innovative efforts.
The national-level competition saw massive participation with 360 teams applying, 190 qualifying for regional rounds, 16 reaching the semi-finals, and only five teams competing in the Grand Finale.
Final Results:
🥇 1st Position – Marine Biology Research Centre, Tamil Nadu
🥈 2nd Position – Government Degree College Drass, Ladakh
🥉 3rd Position – Western Ghat Regional Centre, Kozhikode, Kerala
The GDC Drass team thanked the Higher Education Department, Principal, faculty members, staff and students for their continuous support and encouragement.
