NIT Srinagar, IEI-JK observe world environment day
Srinagar, June 05: The National Institute of Technology (NIT) Srinagar and Institution of Engineers (India) J&K State Centre, Srinagar (IEI JKSC) and National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM) on Saturday celebrated the world environment day.
At NIT Srinagar a virtual event was jointly organized by the Department of Physics and Chemistry and Prof. MA Shah was the brain behind the day-long event.
While addressing virtual webinar in his keynote address, Director NIT Srinagar, Prof. (Dr.) Rakesh Sehgal said there is need to be more practical and take an oath that we will minimize the use of plastic in our lives and try to use alternatives that can be recycled.
“To protect the environment, we should start from our own houses, institutions, offices and localities. These small steps will protect our environment at a larger level. We should plant more and more trees and make our community aware of their responsibilities towards the environment,” he said.
Dr. Sehgal said if we remain in a green and hygienic environment that would please everyone in our societies. It will bring a positive change and vibrant change, he said.
The theme for World Environment Day 2021 was ‘Ecosystem Restoration’ and Pakistan was its global host for the day.
Registrar NIT Srinagar, Professor Kaiser Bukhari said the ecology of the region is very fragile and “we all need to do our bit to save the unique natural wealth.
“We have to work with our people , government, and grassroots organizations to emphasise the importance of the environment and take collective action, can there be a tangible change,” Prof. Bukhari said.
Director disaster management JK and alumni NIT Srinagar, Aamir Ali Mir, who was chief guest on the occasion said nature has bestowed with a lot of resources but unfortunately due to the greed of humankind, we are exploiting them on a large scale more than requirement.
“It has led to an imbalance in the environment and following which nature has responded through natural disasters. Nature has its own way of restoring the ecosystem and as we witnessed during Covid19 lockdown, quality of air, water improved and there was less pollution,” he said.
Mir said there is a need to use less fossil fuels in many ways. We should encourage the use of organic stuff. The government should try to facilitate that public transport system in such a way that people use it more, he said.
“More focus should be laid on renewable energy rather than energy coming from other sources. At the individual level we should plant more trees and at the government level with massive plantation drives to cover the catchment areas,” he added.
Dean School of Social Science and Head Department of Religious Studies, Prof. Hameed Naseem Rafiabadi said there is need to involve the students to conserve the dying water bodies in the region.
“Both Central University of Kashmir and NIT Srinagar can sign a MoU and start work on the ground jointly in preserving the environment.We have to take a call on our own without waiting for someone else to assist us and make our people aware about the important issue,” he said.
Meanwhile, a webinar on World Environment Day was observed by Institution of Engineers (India) J&K State Centre, Srinagar (IEI JKSC) and National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM), Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt. of India in collaboration with Divisional Administration Kashmir, Govt. PG College for Women, Gandhi Nagar Jammu, J&K Forest Department, SSM College of Engineering and Technology Parihaspora and J&K State Emergency Operation Centre, Srinagar. The theme of the Webinar was “Ecosystem Restoration for improved relationship with Nature.”
The speakers for Webinar were Dr. Sangita Nagari, Principal Govt. PG College for Women, Gandhi Nagar Jammu, Er. Aamir Ali, Chairman Institution of Engineers (India) J&K State Centre, Srinagar, Dr MRD Kundangar, Former Director (R&D) J&K LAWDA, Mutaherra Abida, Senior Scientist J&K Pollution Control Board, Irfan Ali Shah, Conservator of Forests, Dr (Professor) Shakil Ahmad Romshoo, Dean Research, University of Kashmir, Dr Amir Ali Khan, Faculty NIDM, Er Syed Shabir Ahmed Ruffai, Director Skill Development SSM College of Engineering, Parihaspora. The Webinar was coordinated by Er M. Aaquib Sultana Waheed Deva, Honorary Secretary, IEI JKSC, Yogita Grabyal, Young Professional NIDM, Bilquees Dar and Mohmmed Suhail Wani, Consultants Disaster Management. A documentary on Environment day prepared by Er Abdul Rashid Bhat, from EMMRC University of Kashmir was also played during the webinar.
KV News
