Earth Day 2025: EPG and Blue Bells School to host climate seminar in Srinagar tomorrow

Srinagar: In a significant step towards fostering environmental consciousness, the Environmental Policy Group (EPG), in collaboration with Blue Bells School, is organizing a One-Day Seminar on Earth Day tomorrow, April 22, 2025, at the school’s auditorium in Khanyar, Srinagar.

The event, themed around Earth Day 2025, will commence at 10:00 AM and bring together policy experts, health and agriculture professionals, media figures, education leaders, and students to deliberate on the pressing environmental challenges facing Jammu and Kashmir.

The seminar will be inaugurated with a welcome address by Faiz Bakshi, Convenor of EPG, followed by a rich line-up of technical sessions. Key presentations include:

• Altaf Ahmad Andrabi, former Director of Agriculture – Impact of Climate Change on Agriculture

• Dr. Ashiq Rashid Mir, WHO Surveillance Officer – Impact of Climate Change on Health

•  Imad Ul Riyaz, Climate & Sustainability Expert – India’s Path to Net Zero: Jobs, Investments and Youth Engagement

• Dr. G.N. Qasba, former SMC Commissioner – Solid Waste Management

• Er. Abdul Rashid Bhat, University of Kashmir – Role of Media in Environmental Conservation

• ER. Mr. Ajaz Rasool, Governing Council Member – Aquatic Ecology of River Jhelum and Wular Lake

The seminar will also spotlight student voices, with Blue Bells School students presenting poems and reflections on Earth Day.

The event will be graced by several Guests of Honour, including:

• Dr. G.N. Itoo, Director School Education

• Waseem Raja, Additional Secretary, Forest, Ecology and Environment

• Zareef Ahmad Zareef, noted poet and cultural activist

• Javaid Ahmed Tenga, President, Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI)

The Chief Guest, Mr. Vijay Kumar Bidhuri (IAS), Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, will address the gathering, emphasizing the region’s evolving environmental priorities and collaborative strategies for climate resilience.

The event is jointly chaired by Shafaat Hussain, Chairman of Blue Bells School, and Faiz Bakshi, Convenor of EPG.

This Earth Day, the seminar aims to engage all sections of society—particularly youth—in shaping a more climate-aware and ecologically responsible future for Jammu and Kashmir.