Ganderbal, Apr 5: Central University of Kashmir (CUK) Vice-Chancellor, Prof. A Ravinder Nath Wednesday underscored the urgent need to safeguard the environment and fragile ecosystem for achieving the Sustained Development Goals (SDGs) as envisioned by the G-20 Nations vis-à-vis environmental protection.
“The need of the hour is to accelerate ecosystem restoration, enriching biodiversity; promoting a sustainable and climate-resilient economy; and encouraging the use of renewable energy,” Prof. A Ravinder Nath, said while inaugurating a one-day awareness programme on “Environmental Protection,” on the theme “Protect Environment or Perish,” organized by the Department of Zoology, School of Life Sciences, at Tulmulla Campus here, under the G-20 University Connect. CUK Vice Chancellor, said the energy resources available across the world should be utilized judiciously and equitably without compromising the future needs. He said the women folk should be sensitized about the need to protect the environment so that the same could trickle to the next generation. Prof. Nath called for collaborative efforts for tackling the increasing environment degradation and asked the institutions of higher learning and the government departments to join hands in order to check the menace of environmental pollution.
About the construction of permanent structures at the designated Tulmulla campus, the newly appointed Vice-Chancellor, said the infrastructure development would be a thrust area and the basic facilities would be provided to the students and staff. On the side-lines of the event, he asked the executing agencies, to expedite the construction of permanent structures.
Addressing the gathering, Commissioner/Secretary, Science and Technology Department, Mr. Saurabh Bhagat, said the environmental activism should begin at respective homes. “We should segregate the waste at homes and try to dispose them properly,” he said. Mr. Bhagat recalled the 2014 floods that deluged the entire Srinagar city and other parts of Kashmir and said, the environment disasters have increased manifold due to continuous human interference. “Rampant deforestation and construction of residential houses in the flood channels have caused huge damage to the environs,” Mr. Saurabh Bhagat said. He highlighted the need to use renewable energy in the form of solar panels to prevent further deterioration of the environment by the use of fossil fuels. About the G-20 university connect, he said, the government is planning a mega event in coming months, wherein products and patents will be showcased and asked research scholars and students to come up with the same.
Speaking on the occasion, Registrar, Prof. M Afzal Zargar, said the receding glaciers and increasing sea water level has sounded alarm bells among the environmentalists. “Natural disasters including floods, earthquakes are occurring across the globe and the people are facing scarcity of water and food in several countries, due to the impact of environmental pollution,” Prof. Zargar said. He said that under the G-20 Presidency, the country has an opportunity to evolve a comprehensive and consensus-driven approach to tackle the challenges of climate change. Prof. Zargar called for sensitization of the youth about the matter pertaining to the environment.
Dean, School of Life Sciences, Prof. Muhammad Yousuf, said, the society is at present facing several environmental issues, including, air pollution, environmental and health issues, destruction of biodiversity, use of chemicals, land use degradation, excessive utilization of natural resources and noise pollution, which needs immediate attention from all the stakeholders. He said the objective of the programme was to raise awareness and educate the youth about their role in environment protection.
Prof. Fayaz Ahmad, Head Deptt of Environmental Science, University of Kashmir, Prof. SJS Flora, former director NIPER, (online) Deans of Schools, Director Campuses, Heads and Coordinators of departments, faculty members, research scholars and students were present on the occasion.
Asst Prof. Dr. Ibraq Khursheed conducted the programme proceedings while as Asst Prof. Dr. Muhammad Latief proposed the vote of thanks.
A poster competition was also held in which around 50 students from various departments participated. Ms Bushra Ashraf, Mehnaz Zahoor and Injla Mukhtar were adjudged 1st 2nd & 3rd respectively. Mr Irfan Noorani and Dr Hameem Mushtaq acted as rapporteur of the event.
