Terra Thrive: Achieving SDG 15: Life on Land for Future Generations

This book provides an in-depth exploration of Sustainable Development Goal 15: Life on Land. It delves into complex global issues related to environmental sustainability, human activity, and terrestrial ecosystems, examining the intricate connections between humanity and the land, with a focus on India, its neighboring nations, and collaborative efforts with Japan. The book aims to help readers understand the urgent need for conservation measures and the importance of sustainable land management and biodiversity-integrated urban planning. It discusses the diversity of flora and fauna and the crucial role of keystone species. Coverage includes topics such as climate change mitigation and education for sustainable practices. This unique guide sheds light on the fundamental connections between humanity and the land, equipping readers with the knowledge and tools to become proactive agents of change and take action to preserve our planet for future generations.

John Joseph Puthenkalam, Ph.D., is a Professor of Economics at the Faculty of Economics and a Professor at the Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies, Sophia University, Tokyo, Japan. He has been a Board Member of the Sophia School Corporation since 2016. He was also Academic Dean of the Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies from 2015 to 2017. After obtaining Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Economics, Philosophy, and Theology in India and Japan, he continued his studies and obtained a Ph.D. in Economics, from the University of Glasgow, United Kingdom in 1996. He was awarded First Class and First Rank in M.A. (1984). He also won the Straniak Foundation Philosophy Prize in Switzerland in 1993 and 1998. He was granted a Senior Fellowship at the University of Bonn, Germany, in 2001. His published books include The Collision of Cultures? Dialogue Between Globalization and Cultural Identity (Academia Verlag, 2001), Dialogue Among Civilizations: Zukunftiges Menchsein: Ethik zwischen Ost und West (Nomos Verlagsgesellschaft, 2003), Economic Growth, Democracy and Human Development (Claretian Publications, 2016), and Global Development Analysis: Developing Countries, Millennium Development Goals, and Sustainable Development Goals (Sophia University, 2020). He serves as the Project Leader for the 17 SDGs Book series publication, a collaborative research work between the Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies at Sophia University, Tokyo, and Christ University, Bangalore, India.

Dr. Fr. Joseph Chacko Chennattuserry is a Professor of History and the Vice Chancellor of Christ University, specializing in maritime history, organizational culture, and work values in educational institutions. He is the Chief Editor of the international book project Encyclopedia of New Populism and its Responses in the 21st Century (Springer, 2024). His research has been published in leading journals, including the Leadership & Organisation Development Journal, the International Journal of Tourism Cities, and the International Journal of Business Excellence. In addition to his research, Dr. Fr. Joseph has co-edited several books. Among his recent works are Cooperative Federalism in South Asia and Europe (Taylor & Francis, 2024), Models for Social Responsibility Action by Higher Education Institutions (Nova Science Publishers, 2023), and Inclusive Business Approaches in Tourism: Stakeholder Engagement (Nova Science Publishers, 2024). He is currently leading a major research project on "Organisational Culture, Work Values, and Organisational Performance in Institutions of Higher Education in South India." He is an accomplished expert in training leaders and administrators in higher education institutions. He is involved in historical preservation efforts, notably with the St. Kuriakose Elias Chavara Archives and Research Centre in Mannanam, India.

Lija Jacob, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Statistics & Data Science and Department of Computer Science at the Pune Lavasa Campus of Christ University in Pune, India. She is a seasoned educator and researcher with over 22 years of experience in teaching and academia. Dr. Jacob holds a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree from Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, and a Master of Philosophy (M.Phil. - CS) from Madurai Kamaraj University. Dr. Jacob's research interests span machine learning, deep learning, data science, and computational security, as evidenced by her numerous international publications and presentations. Dr. Jacob’s research spans areas such as biometric security, AI for social good, machine learning applications, and IoT. She has authored over 35 Scopus-indexed publications and book chapters, holds seven published patents, and has received multiple grants from agencies including KSCSTE, INSA, ICWA, and Christ University. She has also co-edited the books Artificial Intelligence for Cyber Defense and Smart Policing" (Chapman and Hall/CRC Press, 2024) and Ear Prints: Advancing Security through Automated Ear Biometrics (Lambert Academic Publishing , 2023). As a certified Google Cloud Associate and an active contributor to academic-industry collaborations, Dr. Jacob is committed to mentoring young researchers and fostering inclusive, impact-driven learning ecosystems.

Haemi Park, Ph.D., has been an Assistant Professor at the Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies at Sophia University in Japan since 2022. She graduated from Chiba University (2012) and obtained her Ph.D. (Civil Engineering) from the University of Tokyo (2015). Before joining Sophia University, Dr. Park held positions at the Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) in the Republic of Korea, the Institute of Industrial Science of the University of Tokyo in Japan, and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). Her specialty is environmental remote sensing, and her research interests are the sustainability of forests, carbon and water balance in wetlands, soil moisture, disaster monitoring, and the effects of human activity (e.g., deforestation and wildfires). Dr. Park actively participates in international conferences and is a member of academic societies in Japan and Korea. She contributes to the field through research, teaching, and editorial roles, showcasing her dedication to environmental conservation and sustainability with application of remote sensing technology. Her work underscores her commitment to understanding and mitigating the impacts of climate change and human activities on the environment.

S. Vijayalakshmi, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor in the Department of Data Science at Christ University, India. She has more than 20 years of teaching experience. Her research areas are image processing and the Internet of Things (IoT). Dr. Vijayalakshmi received her Bachelor's degree in Computer Science in 1995 and her Master's in Computer Application in 1998 from Bharathidasan University, India. She was awarded a Ph.D. in 2014 by Mother Teresa Women's University, Kodaikanal, India. She has contributed papers to many international journals and international and national conferences. She has authored and edited various books and chapters on technologies such as artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, deep learning, big data, and blockchain. Dr. Vijayalakshmi has also contributed to many patents on smart robotics, smart assistive devices for visually impaired people, mobile applications for handling road accidents, and swift cane juicers. She is a member of many academic bodies, including IEEE, ACM, IFERP, and IAENG. She has guided many research scholars, postgraduate, and undergraduate students in their research work. She has also successfully completed several funded conferences and workshops and is a principal investigator of funded projects.