Early Times Report
THANNAMANDI, Mar 24: The Department of Botany in collaboration with Department of Environmental Sciences of Government Degree College (GDC) Thannamandi celebrated 3rd Rhododendron Day as part of consortium of events here on Saturday.
Initiated on March 18, 2021 at Govt PG College Rajouri under the guidance of noted Environmentalist OP Sharma Vidyarthi, GDC Thannamandi took the lead to celebrate its third edition this year. A consortium of events along with Rhododendron Day including World Sparrow Day that is celebrated on March 20, International Day of Forests and World Glaciers Day which are observed on March 21, and World Water Day that is commemorated on March 22, organized under the patronage of Prof. Dr. Farooq Ahmed, Principal of college.
On this occasion a composite symposium organized in which the speakers, mainly students of Botany Department, deliberated upon importance of different Days. Dr. Nazakat Hussain, Head Department of History was Chief Guest on the occasion whereas Dr. Ashaq Malik, Head Department of Botany Co-ordinated the event. Afreen Gulzar and Toiba Farooq spoke on Rhododendron whereas Asiya Mushtaq and Zohra Khatoon gave an account of World Forest Day, its historical background and Role of forests. Razaq Mirza and Bilal Dar gave presentations on World Water Day and importance of Water whereas Zia ur Rehman and Zaiba Fatima talked on World Sparrow Day and World Glacier Day respectively.
Dr. Farooq Ahmed, in his message, emphasised upon the need of conservation of Rhododendron especially areas like Darhal which are comparatively less disturbed by developmental activities. Dr. Farooq appreciated the Department of Botany for organizing this field trip. Dr. Nazakat Hussain and Dr. Junaid Ahmed, Head Department of EVS also spoke on the occasion.
Earlier, Dr. Ashaq Malik introduced the audience about consortium and Mehtab Khan conducted the proceedings of programme whereas Dr. Showkat Ahmed presented the formal vote of thanks. Prominent among others present on the occasion were Dr. Naseem Ahmed, Nazar Ul Islam Wani, Dr. Mohd Ashraf, Dr. Mohd Zabair, Dr. Mudasir Gori, Dr. Sajad Ali and Sarfaraz Ahmed.
Followed by the consortium, a field visit to explore Rhododendron organized on Sunday by Botany Department in upper reaches of Darhal Forests. A team of volunteers including Dr. Ashaq Malik, students of Botany Department, Razak Mirza and Mehtab Khan, along with the environmental enthusiast Ajaz Malik visited the Rhododendron rich site (Khorwali/Hatrian) in the high reaches of Darhal in District Rajouri. Dr. Ashaq Malik brainstormed the locals and other masses through facebook live sessions about the importance of Rhododendron (Rhododendron arboreum) - an amazing locally called Hardul, in Dogri Chiu or Burans in Hindi, prevalent in Himalayan nations including India and are in full bloom during months of February and March. Nearly 200 plants of Rhododendron along with oak trees were found in 1km2 under exploration besides several other locations in Darhal. The team raised awareness about the conservation of this wonderful green treasure and appealed for wider awareness to conserve this plant as well as declaring March 18 as Rhododendron Day. |
