Jalandhar, March 23
Over a thousand students, research scholars and experts discussed ways to combat environmental pollution, emphasizing the importance of waste management and recycling at the inaugural of a three-day Environment Awareness programme organized by DAV University. The participants at the event supported by the Punjab State Council for Science and Technology (PSCST) under the Mission Life initiative by the Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Climate Change (MOEFCC) of the Government of India called for educating the masses to promote environmental sustainability.
Dignitaries being honoured by the Vice Chancellor Dr Manoj Kumar
The program aimed to involve students in promoting environmental sustainability at the grassroots level. The chief guest, Professor (Dr.) Adarsh Pal Vig, Chairman of the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB), highlighted the importance of solid waste management through vermiculture. He discussed the potential of earthworms to generate useful products from waste and shared his project of setting up vermicomposting units in schools and higher education institutions across the state.
Jute bags distributed by PPCB
Dr. Saroj Arora, a professor in the Department of Botanical and Environmental Science at Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU), Amritsar, pointed out the adverse effects of drastically fluctuating temperatures on flora and fauna worldwide. She emphasized that the increase in greenhouse gases was due to human “development” efforts, and students must take responsibility for educating the masses to save the environment.
Member Secretary of PPCB, G.S. Majithia, highlighted waste management and recycling as keys to reducing environmental pollution.
Dr. Manoj Kumar, Vice Chancellor of DAV University, expressed the importance of such initiatives and noted that such events were crucial to raising awareness about environmental issues and inspiring young minds to work towards a sustainable future. He reaffirmed DAV University’s commitment to promoting environmental sustainability through various academic and research programs.
A research scholar, Mr. Satvir Singh, held a workshop on vermicomposting, leading to the establishment of a vermicomposting unit at DAV University.
Other dignitaries at the event included Dr. Jatinder Arora, Director, Dr. Kulbir Bath, Joint Director, and Dr. Mandakini, Project Scientist, all from the Punjab State Council for Science and Technology (PSCST) and Dr K N Kaul, registrar. The event was coordinated by Dr Harpreet Walia and Dr Tejinder Kaur, assistant professors in Botany and Zoology at DAV University, respectively.
Prof (Dr) Adarsh Pal Vig, Chairman of the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) addressing audience at the event organised by DAV University