Srinagar, June 05 (KNS): On the eve of World Environment Day, Department of Ecology Environment and Remote Sensing and Amar Singh College Cluster University Srinagar jointly organized a day long event to showcase their efforts to protect and conserve the environment and ecology. The programme was woven around this year’s World Environment Day Theme: “Land Restoration, Desertification and Drought Resilience”. Dheeraj Gupta, IAS Additional Chief Secretary UT of J&K, Financial Commissioner
Department of Forest, Ecology & Environment was the Chief Guest at the Event. The programme commenced with the welcome address delivered by S. Rakesh Kumar (IFS), Director of Ecology, Environment and Remote Sensing. Worthy Director apprised the audiences about the initiatives JK DEERS took to combat desertification at the state level. He also stressed the need for collective action and taking responsibility to bring about the most desired change.

The welcome address was immediately followed by the Special address delivered by Prof. (Dr) Sheikh Aijaz Bashir, Nodal Principal Kashmir Division Colleges and Principal Amar Singh College; also the co-organiser of this event. Prof. Sheikh Aijaz Bashir apprised the audience about the initiatives taken up by the Department of Higher Education to combat ecological damage.

The worthy nodal principal also announced the launch of the Green Campus Ambassador (GCA) initiative in the presence of Dheeraj Gupta, Additional Chief Secretary and Chief Guest at the Event. 300 students were initiated into the order of the green ambassadors, who will look after the trees planted by them during their academic journey in the college. The initiative also aims to help students to acquire experiential interaction through direct contact with the natural world and thereby, developing compassion beyond self-interest and foster an attitude of environmental stewardship.

Roshan Jaggi, (IFS) Principal Chief Conservator of Forests & HoFF, J&K Forest Department and also the Guest of honour at the event was the next to speak. Worthy PCCF shared the details of the Campaigns like “Plastic Free Forest “, Paid Lagao Beti Ke Naam”, “Van se jal, jal se jeewn”, and “Mission Life” taken up by the Forest department of the UT of J&K under his guidance.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp ChannelDheeraj Gupta (ACS), Chief guest at the event, delivered the presidential address. The worthy speaker emphasised taking these initiatives outside the confinement of four walls and pushed for a positive change on the ground. Dheeraj Gupta also stressed the need for initiatives at the micro level as well and reiterated that every drop is an ocean. He inspired many young minds with his informative speech.

The inaugural was followed by the presentation of an environment-related skit by the students of Amar Singh College, which was thoroughly enjoyed by the audience and well appreciated by the dignitaries even earning a respectable mention in Worthy Chief Guest’s speech.

The Department of Ecology and Environment also released the 6th edition of its Newsletter: Vanposh along with the Action Plan for Climate change at the occasion. The flier of Green Campus Ambassadors was also showcased at the occasion.

A brief felicitation ceremony for the dignitaries was jointly done by Amar Singh College and DEERS, which was followed by the award ceremony for the encouragement of the students who have earned positions in various competitions focussed on environment awareness.

Towards the closure of the event Prof. Bazigha Badar, Head Department of Environmental Science, Amar Singh College Srinagar, apprised the audience about the programmes conducted and initiatives taken by Amar Singh College during the Environmental Week 2024.

The event witnessed a massive footfall and was appreciated by the dignitaries for achieving the goals it set out to realise. The event concluded with a formal vote of thanks delivered by Shri Rafi Ahmad Bhat, Regional Director DEERS. The programme was hosted by Prof. Shahnawaz Muntazir, Assistant Professor Amar Singh college and Mr. Arif Rashid and Mr. Musharaf Farooq students of Amar Singh College.(KNS)