An Eco-Garden was inaugurated in the university campus by Prof. Ashok Aima, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, Central University of Jammu, J&K. The eco-garden gains more significance in current times with world facing impacts of climate change and rising pollution. It also has a remarkable journey of its conception. It all started in the winters of January 2018, when Dr. Vinay Kumar, Faculty, Social work , while sharing vision of Mahatma Gandhi’s constructive programme and the idea of Shramdaan to the 2^nd semester students, as part of paper on Theory and Skills of community organisation asked them “If the students were interested in experiencing Shramdaan along with him to help develop a waste, uneven and unused terrain in the vicinity of Department of Social Work, for their field learning, community engagement activities”. The students volunteered to be part of the activity, which was joined by other faculty members of the department. A small portion was developed, levelled and trees planted. The activity was very well appreciated by the hon’ble Vice Chancellor and he said that “when we develop feeling of ownership and care for anything it grows, which further leads to the development of society”.

Lately, an Ecological committee with Dr. Sunil Dhar, Associate Professor, Environmental Sciences as its Convenor and Dr. Vinay as one of its members, was constituted by hon’ble Vice Chancellor. Under Dr. Sunil Dhar’s leadership, Dr. Vinay proposed to develop the patch of land further and undertook the responsibility, which Dr. Dhar happily consented. Thus, along with students of social work and engaging various agencies (especially office of executive engineer and horticulture dept.) of the university; within eight months of committed engagement a beautiful Eco- garden came into existence with sustainable ecology (free from plastic), amphitheatrically spaced (for students activities) and surrounded with medicinal & fruit bearing plants like Neem (Azadirachta indica), Gulmohar (Delonix regia), Amla (Phyllanthus emblica), Curry leaves (Murraya koenigii), Lemon (Citrus × limon), Bel (Aegle marmelos), Hina (Lawsonia inermis), Jamun (Syzygium cumini), Guava (Psidium guajava), Mango (Mangifera indica), Luquat (Eriobotrya japonica), Pomegranates (Punica granatum) etc. Today, various species of birds can be observed in the eco-garden, which is unique in the university campus.

The Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, while inaugurating the Eco –garden said that in this era of global warming and climate change, students have a greater responsibility to preserve the environment. He told that when one creates something new it gives immense sense of satisfaction and happiness. He further suggested to create a team of students for ecological & environment protection. He appreciated the leadership of Dr. Sunil Dhar for facilitating such initiative. Dr. Dhar proposed to replicate this model in other parts of the University. The vote of thanks was given by Dr. Vinay, informed the gathering about the department’s initiative on Swaccha Bharat Abhiyan (SBA), awareness generation campaign against Single use Plastic in campus and surrounding villages of the university. He also shared that the Department of social work and its students will maintain the Eco- Garden. The Dean Student Welfare, faculty from other departments, faculty members of department of social work and students were present at the inaugural ceremony.