Botanist N. Alim Yusuf Honoured by World Wide Fund for Nature for AI-Based Conservation App

The botanist N. Alim Yusuf has received the prestigious award from the World Wide Fund for Nature. This honor highlights his development of the AI-powered mobile application which is designed to detect the invasive plant species in the Kerala. He have marked the crucial step towards the blending technology with the biodiversity conservation.

AI Innovation for Biodiversity Protection

The award-winning application was developed by the Mr. N. Alim Yusuf. Who is a researcher at the Malabar Botanical Garden and Institute for Plant Sciences. This app is capable of to identifying nearly the 100 invasive plant species found across Kerala.

This mobile-based tool uses the artificial intelligence (AI) and help users quickly recognize the harmful plant species which have threaten native ecosystems.

By making the identification accessible and accurate this app will empowers the researchers, forest officials and even the general public to take timely action.

Invasive species are the non-native plants that spread rapidly and they disrupt local biodiversity which often leading to ecological imbalance.

Early detection is important and this app will addresses that gap effectively.

Why Invasive Species Detection Matters

The invasive plant species are one of the biggest threats to the biodiversity worldwide. In the regions like Kerala which is the most ecologically rich Western Ghats and their impact can be severe on the ecology.

• These species are compete with the native plants for resources.
• Also they alter the soil composition and water availability and will reduce the habitat quality for wildlife.

Also the traditional methods to identifying invasive species require the expert knowledge and fieldwork.

Role of Technology in Modern Conservation

The success of this app will showcases the growing trend where the technology meets environmental science.

By using the tools like AI, machine learning and mobile applications are transforming how the biodiversity is monitored and protected.

• This innovation stands out because it bridges the gap between the scientific research and public participation.
• It also enables the real-time identification in the field.
• It will also supports the data collection and ecological mapping.

Such type of the digital tools are increasingly important to achieving global conservation goals and will strengthen the local environmental governance.

About the WWF National Award

The World Wide Fund for Nature National Award is given to the individuals and institutions who are contributing importantly to environmental protection and sustainable development.

By receiving this award places  Yusuf as among the notable contributors working towards the biodiversity conservation, climate action and ecological sustainability.

Question

Q. With reference to WWF, consider the following statements:

1. It was originally established in 1961 in Switzerland.
2. Its headquarters is located in Gland, Switzerland.
3. It was created as a funding arm of the Convention on Biological Diversity.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3