R S PURA, Jun 5: Department of Environmental Sciences, Eco-Club, NSS, NCC in collaboration with Drug De-addiction Committee of Government Degree College (GDC) R S Pura celebrated World Environment Day with great enthusiasm and a strong sense of environmental and social responsibility. A plantation drive, an awareness programme under the theme “Ek Ped Nashake Virudh” and a bird conservation initiative was organied by the college. The programme witnessed active participation from faculty members, NSS volunteers, students, non-teaching staff, and representatives of a NGO, who joined hands to promote environmental protection and community welfare.
The event commenced with an awareness session highlighting the significance of World Environment Day, observed globally on 5th June to encourage action towards environmental conservation.
As part of the celebrations, a plantation drive was organized within the college campus. Faculty members and students planted a variety of saplings and pledged to care for them, reaffirming their commitment to increasing green cover and preserving ecological balance. The activity aimed to instill environmental consciousness among students and encourage them to become responsible stewards of nature.
Also, the programme was symbolically connected environmental conservation by the campaign “Ek Ped NashakeVirudh” with the mission of building a drug-free society.
Participants dedicated each sapling to the cause of a NashaMukt Bharat, spreading the message that just as trees nurture life and provide a healthy environment, society must protect its youth from the harmful effects of substance abuse.
Adding a unique dimension to the celebrations, a local NGO Public Welfare Front contributed to bird conservation efforts by donating water pots, wooden nests and feeding pots for birds. These earthen water pots were installed at various suitable locations to help birds cope with the intense summer heat and water scarcity.
The initiative highlighted the importance of compassion towards all living beings and encouraged students to actively participate in biodiversity conservation and wildlife protection.
The chairman of NGO Zorawar Singh Shahbaz emphasized that small acts of kindness, such as providing water for birds, can make a significant difference in safeguarding urban and rural biodiversity.
The other members of the NGO present in the event were Mandeep Kour, Rajni Kumari, Seema Rani, Bachan Lal, Arjun Das and Amarjeet Singh.
Addressing the gathering, Principal of the college, Prof (Dr) Preetpal Kour underscored the interconnection between environmental sustainability, biodiversity conservation, and social well-being. They encouraged students to adopt eco-friendly practices, protect wildlife, and actively support initiatives aimed at creating a healthier and drug-free society.
The programme concluded with a collective pledge by participants to protect the environment, conserve biodiversity, plant and nurture trees, provide care for birds and other wildlife, and contribute towards the objectives of the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan.
The event was coordinated by Dr. Sudesh Kumar (Convener, Eco-Club) and Dr. Akrity Parihar. The faculty members who participated in the activity included Dr. Kiran Pathania, DrJugalKishor, DrShivaniManchanda, Prof MeeshuPandita, Dr. Hari Singh, Prof. VijeetaAnand, Dr. Renu Sharma, and Dr. SavleenKour