Environmental Policy Group holds seminar on plastic pollution; eminent citizens discuss solutions

Srinagar, June 6: On the eve of World Environment Day, the Environmental Policy Group (EPG) held a seminar on the theme “Beat Plastic Pollution” at Green Land College of Paramedics & Nursing here. The event was attended by more than 200 students, members of civil society, government officials, academia, subject experts and reputed environmentalists.

Khurshid Ahmad Ganai, former Advisor to the Governor, was the chief guest and delivered the keynote address. The EPG Convenor, Faiz Bakshi, anchored the program. Professor Dr. Irfan Rashid, Department of Geoinformatics, made a  PowerPoint presentation about the alarming status of our environment, especially the water bodies. Among other prominent speakers/participants were Dr. G.N. Qasba, former SMC Commissioner; Iftikhar Hakeem, former Chief Town Planner; Basharat Kawoosa, Former Chief Engineer PHE; Dr. Waseem Raja, Additional Secretary, Youth Services & Sports Deptt; Dr. Ehsaan Chishti, Deputy Director Tourism; Er. Ajaz Rasool, EPG Advisor & Environmental Expert; Abdul Majid Bhat, Dr. MM Shuja, Peerzada Fayaz, Dr. Tauseef, EPG Co-founders & GC Members; Ashaq Hussain Shangloo, KCCI Senior Vice President; Dr. Raja Muzaffar Bhat, Chairman RTI Movement & noted social/environmental activist; Abrar Ahmad Khan, President Batamaloo Traders Association; Farooq Kutho, President TAAK; Bashir Ahmad Bhat, President KHAROF; Er. Suhail Jan, Chairman Greenland Foundation; Dr. Riyaz Qureshi, Head of the Department of Tourism Studies, University of Kashmir; Haji Manzoor Ahmad Wangnoo, President NLCO; Dr. Nadia, Principal Green Land College; Umeera Mohammed, Lecturer Green Land College; Arif Ahmad, Ayaan Ahmad, Shazia Shafi, Uzma Fayaz, Majid Farooq, Students of Green Land College; Riyaz Malik, Environmentalist; Dr. Ayoub, President JK FAST.

The guest speakers were felicitated, while the management and students of host Green Land College were given certificates. The EPG Convenor, Faiz Bakshi, in his address, impressed upon the students the importance of conserving the environment vis-à-vis their role as builders of our future. He added that awareness about the conservation of natural resources had to be spread far and wide. He thanked the chief guest and the distinguished gathering for their contribution to making the seminar a success. The Convenor also thanked the Chairman and Management of Green Land Foundation for their hospitality and wonderful organization of the event.