 Early Times Report
Rajouri, June 6: The Research & Development Cell (RDC) under the aegis of IQAC of Govt PG College Rajouri organized one day international e-conference on Environmental Sustainability here on Saturday.
The daylong virtual international conference on the theme “Only One Earth – Living Sustainably in Harmony with Nature” organized under the Patronage of Prof. (Dr.) Javaid Ahmed Qazi, Principal and convenership of Prof. Mohd Farooq Mirza, Vice Principal of College to mark World Environment Day.
OP Sharma Vidyarthi, former PCCF and Director Ecology Environment, Ecology and Remote Sensing, J&K was Chief Guest whereas Sat Paul Pakhru, Regional Director, J&K Pollution Board, Jammu, was Guest of Honour on the occasion.
In his welcome address, Prof. Javaid Qazi, highlighted the pressing issues before humanity including climate change, and biodiversity loss, and collective actions required for protecting life on earth while acting locally. OP Sharma Vidyarthi, the tree talk crusader, deliberated upon the need of individual activism by inculcating eco-friendly behavior among masses especially among youth like saying no to plastic use and planting trees on every occasion to combat climate change and global warming whereas Satpaul Pakhru underlined various approaches of J&K Pollution Board in tacking pollution issues and conservation of environment.
The one day Conference spread over 5 sessions including 2 plenary sessions and an interactive session, attracted galaxy of experts from 6 nations who deliberated upon different topics pertaining to Environmental conservation and climate change.
Dr. Syed Hafizur Rahman, Professor, Department of Environmental Sciences, Jahangirnagar University, Bangladesh delivered keynot address on the topic Environment Day and Sustainability in which he highlighted history, relevance, of environment day and several other aspects including Ecological footprints, natural resources and approaches towards sustainability.
In the first plenary session chaired by Prof. Mammo Muchie, [Consultant on UNESCO’s Higher Education, Research and Knowledge Forum] Research Professor, Tshwane University of Technology, South Africa, Dr. Ritu Dhingra, Vice Chair, East and Southern Asia - IUCN CEESP (International Union for Conservation of Nature-Commission on Environmental, Economic and Social Policy) delivered talk on Revisiting traditions to conserve environment. The other speakers in this session were Dr. Stephen Little, Professor Extraordinaire , SARChI innovation group, Tshwane University of Technology, South Africa who spoke on the circular economy and environmental sustainability; Dr. Om Katel, Lecturer, Department of Environment and Climate Studies & Former Dean, Research and Industrial Linkages, College of Natural Resources, Royal University of Bhutan, Bhutan who gave presentation on Biodiversity conservation in Bhutan Himalayas and Taslima Sheikh, Ph.D Scholar, Sunrise University, Rajasthan who talked on butterflies diversity and their conservation.
Dr. Stephen Little (UK/ South Africa) chaired the 2nd Plenary Session in which Prof. Mammu Muchie (Ethipia/South Africa) spoke at length on the topic Re-Innovating the Post Climate Change Future with spirit of All Humanity to Live in One World Community.
Lisa Short, Professor Extraordinaire: Innovation, Digital Technology & Entrepreneurship, Adjunct Faculty London Graduate School & Commonwealth University, UK, who spoke in detail on Blockchain Philosophy, Women and Climate Change; Dr. P.L. Uniyal, Professor, Department of Botany, University of Delhi, New Delhi gave a talk on Declining biodiversity: need to think of restoration.
Prof. Iqbal Raina, Secretary Cultural and Literary Committee of college, moderated the interactive session whereas Dr. Abdul Haq Naimi, HoD, PG Department of Urdu, Dr. Mohd Jameel, Department of Computer Science, Dr. Mohd Akhlaq, Department of Mathematics, Dr. Mohd Khaliq, HoD- Philosophy, Dr. Mohd Tufail, Department of Geography, Dr. Shiraz Ahmed, Department of Zoology and Dr. Atiya Sayeed, Deptt. of Chemistry, Govt PG College Rajouri were rapporteurs in different sessions.
Dr. Ashaq Malik, Director of R & D Cell and Organizing Secretary of the conference conducted the proceedings of the programme whereas Prof. Mohd Farooq Mirza, Vice Principal of College and convener of conference, and Professor Zamir Ahmed Mirza, Co-ordinator, IQAC presented the formal vote of thanks in inaugural and valedictory sessions respectively. Prof. Supriya Gupta, Department of Computer Science and Anuj Bali, Librarian of the college provided technical support.
About 250 participants including faculty members, scientists, environmentalists, scholars and students, from various institutions of country and abroad participated in this one day virtual conference. |
