THANNAMANDI, Sep 16: The Department of Botany, under the aegis of the Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC), Government Degree College (GDC) Thannamandi, celebrated World Ozone Day through a field visit-cum-poster-making competition under the patronage of Principal Prof. (Dr.) Shamim Ahmed Azad.
As part of the programme, students undertook a field visit to a nearby biodiversity hotspot, where they observed and explored diverse groups of plants, including bryophytes, pteridophytes and higher plants. The activity familiarised students with the ecological importance of plants and their role in maintaining environmental balance, supporting biodiversity, regulating local climatic conditions and sustaining healthy ecosystems.
Following the field visit, students participated in a poster-making competition based on the World Ozone Day theme, “Global Action for a Cooler Planet.” The posters focused on ozone depletion, its causes and environmental and health impacts, besides highlighting measures for protecting the ozone layer.
The activity provided students with an opportunity to combine scientific understanding with creativity while reflecting on issues related to environmental conservation and sustainable development.
The celebrations also highlighted the 10th anniversary of the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, which promotes the phase-down of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), potent greenhouse gases.
The programme aimed to strengthen environmental awareness among students and encourage them to adopt responsible and sustainable practices for protecting the ozone layer and the planet. The field-based activity also helped students understand the connection between biodiversity, vegetation and environmental sustainability.
Dr. Ashaq Malik, Head, Department of Botany, along with Dr. Assina Firdous, Dr. Musarat Fatima and Surfaraz Ahmed, coordinated the programme.
The organisers emphasised that activities combining field-based learning and creative expression can help students develop a deeper understanding of environmental issues and encourage them to become responsible participants in conservation efforts.