THANNAMANDI, Oct 29: A one-day seminar on the theme “Crisis to Action: Building a Climate-Resilient Future” was organized at Government Degree College Thannamandi on the occasion of the International Day on Climate Action 2026. The programme was organized by the National Mission on Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem (NMSHE), Department of Ecology, Environment and Remote Sensing, Government of Jammu and Kashmir, in collaboration with the Department of Environmental Science, Government Degree College Thannamandi, under the guidance of the Principal, Prof. (Dr.) Shamima Ahmed Azad.
The seminar aimed to sensitize students to the growing challenges of climate change, its environmental consequences, and the importance of collective efforts to strengthen climate resilience, particularly in the fragile Himalayan ecosystem.
Dr. Kuljit Kour, Project Scientist, NMSHE, Department of Ecology, Environment and Remote Sensing, Government of Jammu and Kashmir, served as the resource person. She delivered an informative lecture on climate change, highlighting its emerging challenges and the need to translate environmental awareness into meaningful action. She emphasised the important role of students and young people in adopting sustainable practices, conserving natural resources, and promoting climate resilience at the community level.
Around 80 students from different academic disciplines participated enthusiastically in the seminar. The interactive learning experience helped them better understand the significance of climate action and recognise their individual and collective responsibilities in addressing environmental challenges.
The programme was coordinated by Dr. Junaid Ahmed, Head, Department of Environmental Science and Organising Secretary, while Dr. Padma Sharma, Project Scientist, NMSHE, facilitated the proceedings. Faculty members present on the occasion included Dr. Gulshan Rashid Bhat, Head, Department of Geography, Dr. Sheraz, Head, Department of Zoology, Dr. Megha Latwal and Dr. Javaid Manzoor, Lecturers in the Department of Environmental Science, and Zubair from the Department of Geography.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Junaid Ahmed appreciated the initiative and observed that such programmes provide students with valuable knowledge about climate change, environmental protection, and sustainable living. He described the seminar as informative and beneficial, emphasizing the need to encourage greater environmental awareness among young people. He also expressed hope for continued collaboration with NMSHE and the Department of Ecology, Environment and Remote Sensing, Government of Jammu and Kashmir, to organize similar educational and awareness programmes in the future.
The Principal, Prof. (Dr.) Shamim Ahmed Azad, appreciated the initiative and commended the resource person, organizers, faculty members and students for their contributions. He emphasized that such academic activities play an important role in sensitizing students to pressing environmental concerns and encouraging them to incorporate sustainable practices into their everyday lives. He also acknowledged the importance of continued institutional efforts to promote environmental education and responsibility.
Sehrab Dar, a Semester-I student, delivered the vote of thanks, expressing gratitude to the resource person, Principal, organizers, faculty members and participating students for their support and contributions to the successful conduct of the seminar.
The seminar underscored the importance of collaboration between educational institutions and environmental organizations in addressing climate change through awareness, education, and community participation. It also highlighted the need to safeguard the fragile Himalayan ecosystem and inspire the younger generation to adopt environmentally responsible lifestyles.
The programme concluded with a call for sustained efforts to transform climate awareness into practical action and strengthen collective responsibility towards a sustainable and climate-resilient future.