Environmental Policy Group holds remembrance event; Ziraat Times among environmental awardees

18 December 2022

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Ziraat Times receiving the award for contribution to environmental protection in Kashmir.

Srinagar, Dec 18: Environmental Policy Group( EPG) – Kashmir’s leading environmental advocacy group – organised a commemorative event on life & times of its founder trustee, a passionate environmentalist, RTI Activist and a renowned trade union leader Syed Nassarullah Shah. The event was held on 17 December at Hotel Shahenshah, Boulevard, Srinagar. The event was attended by a large number of faculty members, students , civil Soceity members, Environmental organisations, RTI & Social Activists. The former Chief Information Commissioner Ghulam Rasool Sufi was the chief Guest whereas Rtd Principal Chief Conservator Forests , G.H.Kango, Former FCIK President & prominent Civil Society member Syed Shakeel Qalandar & Chairman RTI Movement Dr. Raja Muzaffar were guests of honour. The EPG Convenor Faiz Bakshi presided over the function.

On the occasion an award , EPG-Nassarullah Shah Save Nature Award were presented for significant contributions to 28 Environmental Conservation Schools, Colleges and Universities, Environmental & Social organisations, RTI Activists, Ziraat Times, other print and electronic media personnel, INTACH J&K Chapter and individuals for their outstanding contribution.

The day was observed to pay tributes to the memory of Syed Nassarullah’s vis a vis his incomparable contribution to soceity by way of filing public Interest Litigations ( about 2 dozen) , playing a pioneering role as an RTI activist through his organisation J&K People’s Forum & RTI Movement , fighting for conservation of natural resources through Environmental Policy Group (EPG), fighting for rights & dignity of aged/ pensioners at various levels.

The participants from different walks of life threw light on his multi faceted personality. Some of his unbelievable to be true acts of activism amazed them particularly during difficult periods of 2010, 2014,2016 when he would walk/travel miles to file PIL’ s for getting relief to people. Colleagues recollected his concern for unresolved social and environmental issues even when he was on death bed. On the occasion a pledge was taken by participants to pursue the mission he left unaccomplished.

The EPG Convenor Faiz Bakshi delivered the keynote address whereas G.R.Sufi, G.H.Kango, Shakeel Qalandar, Advocate Shafqat Nazir, Dr.M.M.Shuja, Dr.Raja Muzaffar Bhat, Javed Zarief spoke at the event.

Khurshid Ahmad Ganai, former Advisor to J&K Governor, addressed the audience through video-link from Jammu.The students from various schools spoke about the challenges posed by climate Change/ Global Warming and the importance of conservation of our natural resources.

The EPG- NASSARULLAH SHAH SAVE NATURE AWARD instituted by EPG were presented at the event.

Syed Sammi Nassarullah,
S/o Syed Nassarullah Shah saheb was felicitated and presented a shawl.

The Awardees were :

1) SHAH-I-HAMDAN MODEL PUBLIC SCHOOL TARZOO-SOPORE.

2) AJAZ AHMAD DAR , CHAIRMAN CENTRAL AUQAF COMMITTEE TARZOO.

3) HOKERSAR CONSERVATION AND PROTECTION ORGANISATION .

4) SOCIAL CONCERN GROUP MANASBAL.

5) Dr.RAJA MUZAFFAR BHAT , CHAIRMAN RTI MOVEMENT.

6) ER. AJAZ RASOOL ADVISOR EPG.

7) SATISAR EDUCATION INSTITUTE PAMPORE.

8)AL-HILAL EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTE KISHTWAR.

9) BILALIYA EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTE.