Professor
Dr. T. C. Narendran
The inspiration behind this Trust, is an exemplary academician as well as an insect taxonomist of distinction and repute. He has put in more than 40 years in teaching and research at the Department of Zoology, University of Calicut,Kerala,India.
His research contributions to the science of taxonomy have been very substantive in realizing the faunal diversity of the Parasitic Hymenoptera not only of the Indian Region, but also of the other parts of the world. His contributions to the teaching and development of taxonomy have resulted in the training of a large number of taxonomists. He has been very successful in inculcating among the Indian biologists, especially a vast community of students and teachers, a growing interest in taxonomy by offering free expertise as well as identification services.
My Story
Dr. T. C. Narendran, the inspiration behind this Trust, was an exemplary academician as well as an insect taxonomist of distinction and repute.
Born on 24 February 1944 at Trichur, Kerala, India, Dr. T. C. Narendran received his M.Sc degree in Zoology from the St. John’s College, Agra, India. After a short stint of early research career on insect reproductive biochemistry, his interest shifted to the study of taxonomy of parasitic Hymenoptera. He obtained his Ph.D degree in Zoology from the University of Calicut, and joined the university in 1972. He served as professor of Zoology and retired as Head of Department of Zoology, University of Calicut in March 2004. Later, he continued five more years at the university as Emeritus Professor and afterwards shifted to WGRC, Zoological Survey of India, Kozhikode for his research. He coordinated the network project of All India Coordinated Project on Taxonomy & Capacity Building (AICOPTAX) from 2011 to 2013. He passed away on 31 December 2013.
He has had the opportunities to pursue his post-doctoral research on the systematics of Parasitic Hymenoptera, under fellowship programmes, in reputed research institutions abroad, viz., The Natural History Museum, London, UK., CAB International Institute of Entomology, London, UK., The Smithsonian Institution, Washington D.C., USA., etc. He was privileged to have the advanced training under Dr. Z. Boucek, ‘the father of modern Chalicidology’, of CAB International, thus gaining the subtle expertise on his field of specialization.
Some of his well-recognized contributions have come from his collaborative works with international scientists like Dr. Z. Boucek (London), Dr. D. Kovac (Germany), Dr. K. Konishi (Japan) and Dr. Tezcan (Turkey). His pioneering works on the biosystematics of some of the families of Chalcidoidea are considered masterpieces. As a visiting scientist he has worked in some of the renowned museums of the world, like the British Museum of Natural History, London; U.S. National Museum of Natural History, Washington and a few others. Several Indian and overseas academic and research institutions have sought for his advisory and consultative services related to many programmes and projects on systematics and biology of Parasitic Hymenoptera.
He has discovered more than 900 species of insects new to science, which represent nearly 1. 45% of the insect diversity known from India. He has to his credit more than 315 research papers published in scientific journals in India and abroad and also 6 books, including 4 research monographs. More than 25 students have so far been awarded doctoral degree under him.
In recognition of his outstanding contributions to the science of Insect Systematics, he has been conferred with the following honours and awards.
Honours & Awards
The prestigious E. K. Janaki Ammal National Award for Taxonomy constituted by the Ministry of Environment & Forests, Govt. of India, for the year 2004. It carried a medallion, a scroll, and a citation and cash prize of Rs. 1,00,000 /- (Rupees One lakh -).
Recipient of Swadeshi Shastrapuraskaram in 2008 (His Excellency the Governor of Kerala presented the award)
Life Fellow, the Indian Academy of Science, Bangalore since 2000.
The Royal Society, London grant for Research at the Natural History Museum, London in 1979-1980.
The Harvard University, USA awarded Ernst Mayr grant for research at the Natural History Museum, London, in 2008
Visiting Scientist’s Research grant of the Smithsonian Institution at the Systematic Entomology Laboratory, Washington, D.C. in 1986.
Appreciation Certificate of USDA, Washington, D.C. for the achievements and accomplishments in research on Chalcididae in 1988.
Founder Fellow, Entomology academy of India, Chennai, since 2007.
The University Grant Commission’s Postdoctoral fellowship for research at Budapest, Hungary in 1994.
Life Fellow, Indian Academy of Entomology, Chennai, since 1999.
Elected Vice President, the Ethological Society of India, Bangalore in 2003
Member of Research Advisory and Monitoring Committee (RAMC) for Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore (Nominated by MOEF, New Delhi), 2006.
Member of the committee for Collaborative Research of National Biodiversity Authority - 2006
Member of the Research Advisory & Monitoring Committee of Zoological Survey of India
Documentation and Conservation of faunal diversity
Mother Nature with her awesome variety and variability has always nurtured man and blessed him with all comforts. But truly as the saying, “Earth has enough to satisfy everyman’s need but not greed” (Mahatma Gandhi), it is man’s greed rather than his need that gave way to an over exploitation of natural resources. Topping the trophic cascade, man has manipulated his surroundings, adversely affecting the sustainability of natural resources. Species have started disappearing at an alarming rate, with many being pushed towards the verge of extinction. At this grave juncture, we are forced to search for some urgent measures to mitigate the current rapid decline of earth’s biodiversity and strive to retain sustainability. We are losing many species even before being aware of their existence. Knowledge of what we have in our ecosystem is a prerequisite for using them in novel ways and to work towards their conservation. Of the total estimated 10 – 13 million species on earth, only 1.7 million have been described and named, till date. It is here we look upon the services of taxonomy, because Taxonomy is the only science by which species can be recognized. We need taxonomy to know who is who and what is what!
Research Council
To be registered as a Life Member of the Research Council (for a period of 16 years), please send your bio-data along with a crossed Demand Draft for Rs. 5000/- (In India)/ US $ 150) drawn in favour of Prof. T.C. Narendran Trust for Animal Taxonomy, payable at Calicut, Kerala, India.
Download application form to join the research council
SUPPORT TRUST
FUNDING
A generous donation of Rs. One lakh, the prize money received by Prof. T. C. Narendran along with the National Award on Taxonomy forms the seed money of this initiative. SERSA (Systematic Entomology Research Scholars’ Association), Department of Zoology, University of Calicut, Kerala, India, also donated to the trust, the amount it could raise by the sale of its publication ‘Perspectives on Biosystematics and Biodiversity’, a volume published in honour of Prof. Narendran. The Trust accepts donations to support its ventures. To support trust please contact tcntat@gmail.com