SRINAGAR: The Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat (EBSB) in collaboration with Art and Culture Club of the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Srinagar organized a grand function to celebrate "World Environment Day" under the theme " Beat Plastic Pollution' on Monday.

The function was presided over by Director, NIT Srinagar Prof. (Dr.) Sudhakar Yedla, was Chief Guest, while Institute's Registrar Prof. Syed Kaiser Bukhari was the Guest of Honor on the occasion.

In his presiding address, Prof. Yedla said there is a need for joint efforts to curb plastic pollution. Before implementing a complete ban on plastic materials, it is essential to have viable alternatives in place to ensure a smooth transition and address potential challenges.

Prof. Yedla also cited some examples of Environmental Disasters that have occurred in coastal areas of the country. Agricultural land was converted into Aquaculture by the farmers. The demand for Aqua farms reduced Agricultural produce in those areas which ultimately led to ecological imbalance, he said.

"Development should be pursued in a manner that takes into account the long-term availability of resources and the carrying capacity of the environment. This means promoting sustainable practices that minimize waste and prioritize renewable resources," he said.

Prof. Yedla said there is a need to promote environmental education and awareness among society and communities for fostering a sustainable mindset. He also appreciated the students for performing well in skits on environmental challenges.

On the occasion, Institute's Registrar Prof. Syed Kaiser Bukhari highlighted the importance of World Environment Day and stated that it was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1972 to mark the opening of the Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment.

"On Sunday, NIT Srinagar organized a special plantation and cleanliness drive on the campus. I appreciated the faculty coordinators, volunteers, and students for taking part in the drive," he said adding that there is a need for joint efforts to protect the environment.

Prof. Bukhari also discussed various initiatives with the students to make NIT Srinagar a green campus. He also urged students to protect and conserve the environment at the individualistic level.

"We need to plant more and more trees to address environmental challenges. By working together and planting more trees, we can make a significant positive impact on our planet's health and create a sustainable future for generations to come," he said.

SASB Coordinator Dr. Ranjeet Kumar Rout said celebrating environmental days is not limited to a single day but can be part of a broader effort to create lasting change.

While, Dr. Nasir F. Butt, Coordinator Art and Culture Club said the key is to promote awareness, engage communities, and inspire actions that contribute to a more sustainable and environmentally conscious future.

Dr. Vijay Kumar from the Physics department presented a formal vote of thanks to all the dignitaries including Director and Registrar NIT Srinagar, faculty members, non-teaching staff, and students for making the event a successful and grand success.

During the event, students from Art and Culture Group presented a skit on Neel Booti depicting environmental challenges. The skit performance was coordinated by Dr. Nasir.

On Sunday, cleanliness, plantation drives, and a painting competition were held at NIT Srinagar. The event was supervised by Institute's Registrar Prof. Bukhari and HOD Physics Dr MA Shah was also present on the occasion.

Dr. Ranjeet Kumar Rout, Dr. Vijay Kumar, Dr. Manoj Kumar, Dr. Shakeel Wasim, Dr. Mukund Dutt Sharma, Dr. Mohsin Khan, Dr. Omkar Singh, and Dr. Jaya Srivastava were the coordinators of the event.

Later winners of the painting competition were felicitated by Director NIT Srinagar Prof. (Dr.) Sudhakar Yedla and Institute's Registrar Prof. Syed Kaiser Bukhari. Painting competition winners include Ram Babu, Anshi Shrivastava, Sonia Yadav and Dinesh Kumar.