21 st APRIL 2023: The Department of Environmental Sciences in collaboration with 4 TH J&K Bn
NCC celebrated International Mother Earth Day, 2023. The theme of Earth Day for the year
2023 is “Invest in Our Planet”. The chief guest for the event was Sh. Balkar Singh—an eminent
environmentalist and a poet who is working in the field of environment for more than 20 years in
the area of Bagla (Rahya Suchani, Badhori) District Samba J&K. The welcome address was
given by Lieut. Dr. Pankaj Mehta (ANO, Rank- Lieutenant) followed by the introductory
remarks given by Prof. Sunil Dhar (HOD Dept. of EVS). Sh. Balkar Singh in his talk discussed
the importance of trees, water bodies, biodiversity which need to be preserved at every cost for
the existence of humans. He narrated few poems of environmental significance from the book
authored by him “Sookha Vriksh”. He discussed the case studies about the rejuvenation of Ponds
and Bowils of Samba, Kathua and Udhampur Districts. The keynote address was followed by an
open house discussion where various schemes and initiatives taken up by government of India
such as Amrit Sarovar Project, Living with Nature, Waste to Gold etc. to preserve and conserve
the environment was discussed. A documentary on the topic climate change was also screened
on the event to make the students, scholars, NCC cadets faculty members and staff aware on the
current scenario through which mother earth is moving. A pledge was taken that each one of us
should contribute our bit by following best environmental practices in the area of water
conservation, energy conservation, soil conservation, waste management. The concluding
remarks were given by Prof. Deepak Pathania (Dean, Research Studies). The formal vote of
thanks was given Prof. Richa Kothari (Faculty, Dept. of EVS) while the stage was conducted by
Ms. Bhawana Sharma (Research Scholar, Dept. of EVS). The event also witnessed a plantation
drive in the campus. NCC Cadets, students, research scholars, faculty and staff members of the
university were also present on this occasion.