‘Our Planet: Our Environment & Our campus’: CUK teaching Deptts hold cleanliness drives, film screening

Ganderbal : In connection with the ongoing series of programmes organised by the Central University of Kashmir (CUK) under the theme “Our Planet: Our Environment and Our campus” Mass Mobilization On Mission Life”, various departments organised different activities on Wednesday.
According to a statement issued from Public Relations Office Central University of Kashmir, Departments of Commerce and Tourism Studies organised a cleanliness drive under the theme “Our Lakes, Our Responsibility,” at the picturesque Manasbal Lake. Addressing the participants, Dean DSW and Finance Officer, Dr. Mehraj ud Din Shah underscored the need of taking necessary innovative and efficient measures for the conservation and preservation of world famous Dal Lake, Wular Lake, Manasbal Lake and other waterbodies in the valley. He said the Dal Lake has shrunk from the original 75 sq km to around 12 sq km and the depth has reduced from 45 feet to four feet due to continuous encroachments and pollution, adding that the need of the hour is to take stringent measures to curb the pollution and proactively organise cleanliness drives.
In his speech, Dy DSW, Dr. Faizan Ashraf, said, the condition of all the water bodies in the Valley have worsened due to the dumping of waste material and garbage. “These lakes and water bodies have huge economic potential for fishermen, owners of floating vegetable gardens, nutrients rich lotus stems crops, shikarawalas, flower vendors and it’s the responsibility of the youngsters to work for the preservation of these water bodies, so that it doesn’t affect the livelihood of aforementioned labour class and those associated with the tourism sector,” he added.
Chief Executive Officer, Wular and Manasbal Development Authority, Mr. Ghulam Muhammad Bhat, also enumerated several measures taken by Wular Development Authority for conservation of the lake. Thereafter the students along with the faculty members conducted the cleanliness drive around the lake.
Meanwhile, the Department of Religious Studies, organized a film screening titled “Sustainable Environment” to sensitize the research scholars and students about the importance of the environment preservation.
Highlighting the importance of environment protection, Deptt Coordinator, Dr. Nazir Ahmad Zargar, said “each one of us needs to take the initiative to conserve the environment and take the pledge to begin a pesticide-free healthy lifestyle that will contribute towards preserving biodiversity, which all the religions of the world teach.”
In charge of co-curricular activities, Dr. Showkat Ahmad Shah, who also conducted the programme proceedings, informed the participants about the series of events organized by the DSW and said the Department was also actively participating in organising activities on the aforementioned theme.
Asst Prof. Mohammed Ahmed Raza gave an outline of the film by pointing to the seriousness of the issue and the importance of such events for a sustainable lifestyle. Asst Prof. Dr. Harpal Singh, proposed the vote of thanks.