SRINAGAR: Stressing upon the need for preserving the ecology of the region and the fossils for which Kashmir is known all over the world Minister of State for Forests and Environment Mian Altaf has urged for judicious use of natural resources including timber.
While speaking at the valedictory function of the week-long earth day celebrations organized by Department of Earth Sciences in collaboration with Dean Student`s Welfare at University of Kashmir today Mian Altaf who was chief guest on the occasion said We rely heavily on the usage of timber and other natural resources during harsh winter conditions. Besides, timber is extensively used for construction purposes in our valley. However we have to be very judicious while using these natural resources and our focus should be on their conservation and preservation.
He said that the youth have to play a key role in this direction and KU in this regard has taken keen interest by holding such beneficial events so as to apprise the young generation in particular and the society in general about these pressing environmental issues.
It is quite appreciating that environment and measures to be taken for its preservation is being discussed at such forums so as to let know the others about the consequences of our casual approach towards it, said Altaf.
While addressing the young students he said that most of the tourists from all over the world come here to look at the natural beauty of our state and it is our moral duty to protect it.
In his presidential address Vice Chancellor, KU Professor Talat Ahmad said that such activities are part and parcel of the education and university is doing a lot in this direction.
We are also now taking this thing into consideration that the creative activities of the school students should also emerge by inviting them into such fruitful and colourful events. Young ones should come forward and learn through experience by actively participating in such events, said Prof Talat.
In his Key note address Professor V.K.Gour, Emeritus C-MARS scientist said that mankind has the privilege that it is living in the planet like Earth which has the appropriate distance from the Sun and is supported by other life-sustaining facilities like air and water.
He added Being in this beautiful part of the world, I found people are well aware and always ready to contribute in their own way for the preservation of the environment and by organizing debates, painting competitions and campus clean-up drives the University has approached the issue in a more creative way which is the need of the hour and institutions like KU have to come forward to make masses well aware about environmental issues through such novel initiatives.
In his address head department of Earth Sciences and Organizing Secretary of the event Prof Shakeel Romshoo underscored the need for industry-Govt-academia collaboration for addressing the pressing environmental issues and for the promotion of cutting edge research so as to delve on emerging environmental concerns.
On this occasion a book titled Indus Water Basin: common concerns, roadmap and resolution authored by Professor Shakeel Romshoo was released by the Minister for Forests and Environment Mian Altaf.
The book talks about the addressing common concerns amongst various nations sharing the Indus water basin
Prof. Neelofer Khan, Dean Students Welfare in her welcome address said that Department is always for well being of the students and such debating competitions help them to sharpen their oratory skills and participation in painting events brings out the creative instinct in them which is very is important for the overall development of the students,
Earlier in the afternoon session, students from the various departments of the University and its affiliated colleges engaged in a thoughtful debate at Gandhi Bhawan of Kashmir University (KU) on the theme Are we too late on the global climate change.
Beside a painting competition on the theme water pollution was also held in the lawns of the Gandhi Bhawan in which students from the different schools participated. Both the events were organized by the Department of Earth sciences in collaboration with the Department of Students Welfare KU.
In debating competition the first cash prize of Rs. 5000 was bagged by two students Zain-ul-Abadeen from the North Campus KU and Zia Malik from KU Department of History, while the second and third positions was bagged by Asma Zahoor from Govt. Women`s College MA road and Sayeed Rayeem Zara from North Campus, KU respectively. Nishah Zargar from MERC received the consolation prize.
Prof Zaffar Reshi Registrar KU, Dean Research Prof Khursheed Andrabi , Assistant Dean DSW Showkat Shafi, Head Department of Environmental Sciences Prof. Azra Kamili, several faculty members, scholars and students of various colleges and schools were also present on the occasion .
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