Jammu, January 11 (Vijay Kumar) – ‘Wandering One Gathers Honey’, as the adage goes, the Youth of the state have to take the sweetness of nature to every part of the World and strive to preserve the same for sustaining life on Earth, was the message delivered by national President of Youth Hostels Association of India Mohammad Shafi Pandit while addressing at the State Council meeting of Youth Hostels Association of India (YHAI). He said that the youth have to come forward and work for national integration besides safeguarding the dwindling environment world over.
Pandit lauded the efforts of nature loving people especially youth and Government agencies for undertaking Dal cleaning campaign vigorously. He said that YHAI in close synergy with these organizations worked shoulder to shoulder to save the scenic water body from garbage and toxic pollutants. He said that the association has conducted number of expeditions during last year, adding that trekking expedition of Leh and Gulmarg, Motorcycle races besides awareness camps were held on the banks of Jhelum for protecting environment.
Pandit said that 11 peace centers have been constructed throughout the country and one more centre is being constructed in Srinagar for promoting various areas enshrined in the constitution of the association adding that efforts are also been made to overcome the communication gap between the people created over the year.
He said the movement has been patronized by national leaders like Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru and Radha Krishanan, adding that the mission has to be taken forward to build the youth leadership to combat anti climatic forces around the world.
Cautioning that the next world war would spark over water issues, he said that major water bodies like Dal lake and Wullar have become cesspools, however he added that we have not to be pessimistic and sweep the issue into the carpet but wake up and contribute in heritage conservation programme e. He said we have to captilize the issues of national, social and climatic importance and contribute a bit for the preservation of common heritage.
Pandit assured that the unexplored tourist sites like Dotpathri and Dachan-Marwah would be included in such programmes and asked the Distt. Presidents to formulate a detailed proposal for the same.
The Chairman vehemently supported the idea of enhancing membership for the YHAI and urged the District Units to organize awareness programmes at every weekened and involve youth for conserving the nature. H said that today’s meeting was much productive though Synergy is needed to work with other organization so that a holistic approach is evolved to harness the benefits of the programme.
While addressing the meeting, the Secretary School Education G.H. Peer, who was the Special invitee on the occasion said that objective of the programme was appealing adding that we have to channelize the energy of youth to contribute towards nation building rather to become just bookworms. He said that book reading habit only does not create personalities but knowledge is gained by practical methods of knowing nature, interactions and understanding. He said changing Governments do not create healthy societies but it was the youth to contribute for adopting such mechanization.
Senior Executive of YHAI and Director Information Kh. Farooq Renzu in his thought provoking address threw light over the burning issues of environment change and its consequences for the entire world. He said as per calculation the pollution level of J&K has reached to 350 level while in metropolitan cities the level was just at 280-90.
Reminding the audience about the recent presentation, he said that it was world over recognized that the scenic Dal Lake is dying fast, the extent of damage caused, though it has not reached to the stage unable to control, the remedial measures are inevitable to be taken to preserve the water body. He said we should not confine ourselves over few issues but move ahead to assess the damage rather to become pessimistic in approach. He said the measures taken to eradicate the menace of polythene in the State proved a success but still a lot is needed to takle the affects of pollutants of Russian trees sucking the water level of earth. He said unabated felling of trees and deforestation have to be arrested and banned for saving the posterity from the devastation of climate change. He said that we have to strive and associate with people and sensitize them about the ill-effects of damaging environment.
Vice Presidents of YHAI Raja Aijaz Ali and Feroz Ahmad also spoke and assured full support to the visionary approach of the Chairman for promoting the activities nationwide.
Director Youth Services and Sports G.M Dar also spoke on the occasion.
Welcoming the dignitaries earlier, State Chairman of YHAI S.P Verma said that the association has achieved 85% target during the current fiscal adding the remaining 15% would be achieving during the coming two months. He said the set target for 2010-11 was Nature study/Trekking Camp at Gulmarg, Padder and Surinsar and Udhampur. He said that awareness programme would be organized to help Tawi,Dal and Jehlum clean. He added that possibilities would be explored to organize weeklong trekking in batches in Kashmir Valley.
On the occasion Souvenirs were presented to the dignitaries to honour them for their contribution towards YHAI. The recipients included national Chairman Mohammad Shafi Pandit, Secretary Education G.A Peer, M.D Higher Education, D.N Wani, Director Information, Kh. Farooq Ahm,ad Rnzu, Director School Education, Jammu, Director Youth Services and Sports G.M Dar.
The contribution of Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Secretary Tourism, Tanveer Jahan and DC, Jammu was also hauled and souvenir was also dispatched to them.
Among others present on the occasion were State Secretary, Dr. Taran Singh, Director, YHAI, K.K Gandotra, Senior functionaries’ Showket Ashai, G.D Shaamir, Pradeep Gandotra, Sardar Avtar Singh and Ab. Majid Bitchoo.