Srinagar/Jammu, June 05 (Scoop News) — Like other part of the World, the World Environment Day was also celebrated in J&K. The Department of Environment and Remote Sensing organized State-Level functions in Srinagar. The Minister for Higher Education & Labour, Abdul Gani Malik said that the whole world is facing environmental and ecological imbalances and there is dire need to find ways to meet the challenges in this regard.
Commissioner/Secretary Forests Shantmanu flagged off the eco-march, organized by the department in which hundreds of students from various schools of Srinagar participated.
The students carrying colourful placards and banners marched along the northern foreshore road on the banks of Dal Lake and expressed their resolutions to protect the rich biological diversity of the State. They also pledged to play their roles in the protection and eco-restoration of the natural resources including lakes, rivers and other water bodies.
An “Eco-conference” was also held at University Convocation Complex, KU, Srinagar.
Commissioner/Secretary Forests, Shantmanu, Director Environment and CCF Ravi Kumar Kesar and Regional Director, Kashmir, Mian Javed and senior Officers of the department, besides, a large number of senior citizens, NGOs, Media personnel were also present on the occasion.
The speakers resolved to work out strategies to combat the environmental degradation due to manifold increase in the human interference by way of population explosion and massive development which has a direct bearing on natural resources and biodiversity. He highlighted the importance of sustainability of rich biodiversity by adopting eco-friendly techniques of development.
They also impressed upon the concerned agencies that development through eco-friendly technology is imperative to ensure long term conservation of our natural resources and biodiversity which is so vital for our own survival and also that of our future generations. The United Nations has declared the year 2010 as “International Year of Biodiversity” and as selected the theme for World Environment Day 2010 as: “Many Species. One Planet. One Future”. The focus as such is laid on preservation and conservation of plant and animal species, especially which are endangered.
Speaking on the occasion, Malik said that the whole world is facing environmental and ecological imbalances and there is dire need to find ways to meet the challenges in this regard. He said that as per the decision of Supreme Court of India to compensate the losses with suitable ways to maintain the ecological imbalances. He exhorted upon people to contribute their whole hearted efforts in this behalf and we have to set an example before others by giving them the message of taking preventive measures. Malik highlighted the contribution of S.P. College in the state and said that it has achieved many goals. Responding to the demands, Malik assured that their demands would be looked into and redressed in phased manner. He stressed the need to work hard and improve the standard of education in other colleges also. He congratulated the college management for starting various co-curricular activities in the college. He also appreciated the efforts of college for declaring the college premises as polythene free zone for future and instructed for extending the message in other educational institutions as well. He said those faculties have to play an important role in selecting the candidates in various disciples for their bright future and added that students of all colleges would be provided adequate facilities.
Principal, of S.P. College, Zahoor Ahmed Chatt, Miss Ritu Iserani from Mumbai and former Principal of S.P. College, Prof. Bashir Ahmed Wani also spoke on the occasion and highlighted the importance of message on world environment day. They also exhorted upon the community to cooperate with each other in this behalf.
Among others, senior faculty members, college staff and students were present on the occasion.