AMU Eco Club observe days of ecological importance
Aligarh : To sensitise people towards environmental concerns, a series of events of the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) Eco Club were held recently on various global observations of ecological importance such as the World Biodiversity Day, World No Tobacco Day, World Heritage Day, World Bicycle Day, World Environment Day, World Oceans Day and the World Day to Combat Drought and Desertification.
The World Biodiversity Day on the theme, ‘Building a Shared Future for all Life’ was observed with lectures and presentations by expert faculty members.
Prof Parvez Qamar Rizvi (Department of Plant Protection) delivered a presentation on ‘Importance and Role of Biodiversity in Maintenance of the Ecological Equilibrium’; while Prof Wasim Ahmad (Department of Zoology) explained how we are completely dependent on healthy and vibrant ecosystems for our water, food, medicines, clothes, fuel, shelter and energy.
The speakers stressed for awareness on biodiversity conservation.
Delivering the inaugural lecture on theme, ‘Protect the Environment’ of the ‘No Tobacco Day’, Dr Wasif Mohammad Ali (Department of Surgery, J N Medical College-JNMC) said, “The harmful impact of the tobacco industry on the environment is vast and growing—adding unnecessary pressure to our planet’s already scarce resources and fragile ecosystems. Tobacco kills millions of people every year and destroys our environment, further harming human health, through the cultivation, production, distribution, consumption, and post consumer waste”.
“Reducing tobacco consumption needs to be identified as a key lever for achieving all of the Sustainable Development Goals, not just those directly related to health”, stressed Dr Ali Jafar Abedi (President, University Eco Club).
Gangu Khodabux Bibi Shaheen from Mauritius won the first prize in the ‘International Photography Week’ on the theme, ‘Shutterbug’ during the ‘World Heritage Day’; while Rayyan Ahmad and Taqi Abbas received second and third prizes respectively.
‘Pedal Green’, a Cyclothon held to mark the ‘World Bicycle Day’ witnessed a lively and high-spirited participation of students.
“The event drew attention to the benefits of using the bicycle — a simple, affordable, clean and environmentally fit sustainable means of transportation that bolsters the fight against climate change”, said Kulsum Salahuddin (Secretary, University Eco Club and the Programme Convenor).
Students also participated in the scientific article-writing competition, scientific 3-D model contest, ‘Best out of Waste’ competition on ‘Reduce, Reuse, Recycle’, poster contest and slogan-writing event on ‘Protect the Environment’ in the ‘World Environment Day’ observations of the University Eco Club on the theme, ‘Only One Earth’.
In the National symposium of the ‘World Oceans Day’ programme on ‘Revitalization; Collective Action for the Ocean’ held in the hybrid online and offline mode; the expert speaker, Prof Sunil Kumar Singh (Director, National Institute of Oceanography, Goa) called for immediate steps to protect oceans.
“Oceans are in need of support and urgent decisions need to be taken to preserve and protect them. Our waters face huge risks from overfishing, climate change, and plastic pollution”, he warned.
Prof Sunil drew attention to the growing concerns about pollution, threatening marine life and triggering climate change.
A Colloquium to spread awareness on water scarcity and droughts was also held to mark the ‘World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought’ in which expert speakers pressed for the urgent need to restore the degraded land and to find solutions to the problems of food and water shortages and wildfires caused by severe droughts.