Srinagar|: The World Environmental Day was on Sunday, June 5 celebrated by the Social Sciences Division of S K University of Agriculture Sciences & Technology Kashmir with an objective to create awareness among the people about importance of environment.
Speakers while speaking on the occasion said that humans have a moral duty to protect the environment and promote the sustainable development of the world for future generations. They also said that environmental degradation is harmful and is endangering the long-term health and security of creatures, plants, and people. Speaking on the occasion Dr. Bilal Ahmad, Head, Division of Social Sciences, FoFy, SKUAST-K said that the one day event was organized jointly by SRDE, nca, SCOF, SKUAST-K (FOF & FoFy), J&K Forest Department, Education Dept Budgam & Tosamaidan Bachav Front at Sukhnag Budgam. While sharing the details of the program Dr Bilal Ahmad said speakers from different walks of life speak on the occasion about the importance of environment, environmental issues and our role towards protection of environment. While sharing the details of the program Dr Bilal Ahmad said that such seminars educate the researchers to correctly use the tools of Statistics invalidating theirs research findings and sensitize the public as to how Statistics helps in shaping and framing policies. In the one day program more than 150 students, elders, social activists and officials from various institutes/departments participated. Dr Shaikh Gulam Rasool delivered the welcome address and in his address discussed in detail about the importance of environment and world environmental day 2022. Addressing the audience Dr Shaikh said that In 1972, the UN General Assembly designated 5 June as World Environment Day (WED) and it came into being at the Stockholm conference on human environment, stating therein further that first celebration, under the slogan “Only One Earth” took place in 1974 in city of Spokane in US. He further said that in the following years, WED has developed as a platform to raise awareness on the problems facing our environment such as air pollution, plastic pollution, illegal wildlife trade, sustainable consumption, sea-level increase, and food security, among others. Reiterating that this year, World Environment Day’s theme is ‘Only One Earth’, which focuses on living sustainably in harmony with nature, Dr Shaikh said that the World Environment Day “Only One Earth” calls for collective transformative action on a global scale to celebrate, protect and restore our planet, our common home. He further said that Protecting our environment is the foundation for sustaining our planet earth, community and economy, stating therein that “Our environment supports and houses our ecosystems, allowing them to grow and thrive. If we fail to protect our environment, we will put the lives of humans, animals, plants and more at risk”.
Dr Shaikh, further said, the forest and trees filter the air and absorb harmful gases. Plants purify water, reduce the chances of flood maintain natural balance and many others. Dr Shaikh Gh Rasool in his speech thanked all participants and speakers of this program especially, local people who provided their full support for the success of this program. During discussion with experts from different fields, Dr Bilal Ahmad told the audience that environment gives us innumerable benefits that we can’t repay our entire life. In Islam, planting a tree is a sadaqah jariyah (continued charity), for the poor and the rich alike. “Whenever a human being or even an animal shelters under the shade of a tree or relishes a fruit that it produces, the planter will earn rewards, even after his or her death”, said Dr Bilal, stating therein further that it is our religious duty to protect environment. He conclude by Quoting Marlie Martin”The earth does not belong to us, we belong to earth”. The one day event was formally closed by the local president by presenting vote of thanks.
