NLCO, Social Forestry hold plantation event at NIT, Srinagar

11 December 2021

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Srinagar, Dec 10: Nigeen Lake Conservation Organisation in partnership with National Institute of Technology (NIT) Srinagar on Friday hosted a day-long environmental symposium titled ‘Our relation with nature. The other collaborating were the Departments of Social Forestry, Ecology Environment & Remote Sensing (J&K).

The speakers jointly pitched for proactive efforts for the preservation of the environment.

Divisional Commissioner (Div Com) Kashmir, Pandurang K Pole, who was Chief Guest on the occasion, participated in plantation drive at Herbal Garden along with In-charge- Director NIT Srinagar MF Wani, Deans, and HOD’s.

In his address, Mr. Pole, who was the chief guest on the occasion, said highlighted the objectives of the plantings saplings initiative and stated that the administration is committed to supporting all pro-environment initiatives.

“To curb the pollution, we have to plant more trees. The administration has already directed range officers to plant more at empty, open places in their respective districts, he said.

“After planning tree saplings, we should also properly care for them and give them water. They are the main source of oxygen and trees are our lifeline. Planting tree is one of the best things that you can do for nature and future generations, Mr. Pole said.

Div Com also praised the efforts of NIT Srinagar in making the green campus and urged students to protect and conserve the environment.

In-charge Director NIT Srinagar Prof. MF Wani said trees play an essential and important part in our ecosystem. Planting saplings is the future investment and we must encourage such practices on our campus.

Prof. Wani appreciated the MA Shah’s efforts in organizing such events on the campus. He said NIT Srinagar will be holding such events in the future also.

Chairman NLCO, Manzoor Ahmad Wangnoo said the situation is not conducive in Kashmir. We have polluted each and every water body, wetlands and have turned them in most terrible condition, he said.

He also shared his journey, when he along with his cousins worked voluntarily on a small budget and started cleaning Nigeen Lake. Go and check there is not single polythene in the portion of the lake, he said.

Dean Alumni and International Affairs Prof. (Dr.) Mohammad Shafi Mir said there is a need for joint efforts to preserve the environment. Recycling involves cutting down on waste and energy consumption by turning used items such as plastic bottles into new items,’ he said.

Mir said transport conservation is another thing we can do since one of the biggest sources of greenhouses gases is transportation. Make better transport choices by choosing the least damaging option, he added.

HoD Physics, Prof. MA Shah was Chairperson of the symposium, while Dr. Vijay Kumar was the coordinator for the day-long program

On the occasion, Director Social Forestry, Mr. Roshan Jaggi informed that around 150 samplings were planted on the NIT Srinagar campus. He stated that engineers have an important role in society and they are called builders of any nation.

Mr. Jaggi also highlighted the importance of forests and their role in the environment. Both engineers and environmentalists can work jointly for a sustainable government. Although it is a difficult job but not impossible, he said.

Chairperson of the Environmental Symposium and HoD Physics, Prof. MA Shah said the goal of the program was to encourage students to take a leading role in protecting the environment.

“We at NIT Srinagar with the support of our Hon’ble Director Prof Rakesh Sehgal and administration are committed to address and work together with institutions and organizations for all major issues related to SDGs,” he said.

Shah said planting tree is one of the best things that you can do for nature and future generations. A tree is a gift that keeps on giving. They clean our air absorbing harmful carbon dioxide and producing oxygen. They help to clean water, he said.

“There is no doubt that we can provide the scientific and technological work. It will sustain human life not only for us but also for future generations,” Shah added.

President Private Schools Association of Jammu and Kashmir (PSAJK) G.N.Var also addressed the students on the occasion and stressed on the preservation of the environment.

The event was followed by Quiz, Poster, painting, and extempore speech competition. The prize distribution was held by Prof. GA Harmain, Prof. NA Shiekh, Prof. M Ikram, and Mr. Khurshid.

Dr Sajad Principal SSM Miss Safeena, Mr. Shakur, Er Naqshbandi, and Mr. John Mohammad were the jury members for the four parallel sessions.

Prof. S Rubab presented a vote of thanks to the guests, deans, HoD’s, faculty members, and students for making the event successful.

On behalf of NIT Srinagar, Prof. Shah thanked Deptt. of Ecology Environment & Remote Sensing (J&K) for extending support and providing diaries for the participating students in environmental programs.

The support received from (Dr. Neelu Gera (IFS)-Director), (Sh. Hafiz Ullah Mir, SFS,(DCF) , Regional Director-Kashmir), Sh. D.P Singh, Mass Media Officer- Kashmir, Mr. Mir Iqbal Zahoor-Environmental Forester shall be put on record by the NIT & we expect the same co-operation in future also, he said.

Mr. Tanveer Ahmad DFO social forestry Srinagar, Mehraj ud Din Regional Director Kashmir, and Mushtaq Ahmad Gojri Range Officer played a vital role in making the plantation event successful.

From the Department of Physics, the sessions were sessions managed by Professor M Akram, Prof. S Rubab, Dr. M Zubair, and Dr. Harkirat coordinated the parallel sessions while M.Sc Ist year students played an active role under the guidance of Mr. Dubai, Dr. Ab Wakeel and Mr. Jafaer Farooq respectively.

The event was jointly moderated by Sanna Showkat from NIT Srinagar and N Noor.