Govt P G College Rajouri holds international web conference on Ecosystem restoration

Rajouri: The science club and department of environmental science of Government Post Graduate College Rajouri, in collaboration with Pir Panjal Environment and Eco Development Society J& K held one day international web conference on ecosystem restoration under the vision Azadi ka Amrit Mahautsav- to mark world environment day here today.

The one day web conference spread over three sessions and a panel discussion under the patronage of Prof Dr Shakeel Ahmed Raina, Principal and Advocate Tabassum Mughal acting President of Pir Panjal Environment and Eco Development Society, J &K,, attracted over 250 participants and resource persons from 4 continents.

Chief wildlife warden, J&K Government, Suresh Gupta was the chief guest, while noted environmentalist OP Sharma Vidyarthi retd PCCF was the guest of honour, Jehanghir Hussain Mir, former MLA, Dy chairman J& K legislative council and Mohan Choudhary, DFO Poonch were the special guests.

In his welcome address, Prof Dr Shakeel Ahmed Raina briefed the audience about the history and achievements of the college as well as the purpose of organizing the international web conference. He highlighted the contributions of late M B Mughal, a reputed forest officer and a renowned environmentalist of Jammu and Kashmir and the founder President of Pir Panjal NGO for his tremendous efforts in the conservation of forests and environment. He also appreciated the efforts of Advocate Tabassum Mughal and Dr Rani Mughal to carry on with the legacy of founder president.

Prof Rameshwar Adhikari, central department of chemistry and former director of research for applied sciences and technology Tribhuvan university Nepal, Dr Anupam Anand, Evaluation officer, Global environment facility world bank group, Washington DC , USA , Prof Mammo Muchie research Professor Tshwane University of technology South Africa, Dr Antonio Masi associate professor of plant physiology and biochemistry, university of Padova, Italy, Dr Muneer Krama Assistant professor department of applied mathematics Palestine polytechnic university, Hebron Palestine , Dr Sanjeev Sharma, Assistant professor JNU New Delhi , Prof Dr Stephan Little , England and Dr Pankaj Chandan director Nature, wildlife and climate change national development foundation J &K were the resource persons.

On this occasion, OP Sharma Vidyarthi, the tree talk crusader was conferred MB Mughal Memorial Lifetime achievement award for his unparalleled contributions in the field of environmental preservation and conservation. Jehanghir Hussain Mir was honoured with MB Mughal memorial Environmentalist of the year 2021 and Mohan Choudhary was presented with the MB Mughal Memorial Biodiversity conservation award 2021 for their exemplary contribution towards environmental protection.

Earlier, Dr Ashiq Malik, organizing Secretary, of the conference introduced the audiences about the program and conducted the proceedings. Advocate Tabassum Mughal presented the formal vote of thanks. Pertinent to mention that Dr Junaid Jhazeb Co-organizing Secretary, Dr Riaz Mirza and Dr Tariq Shiekh played key role in organizing the international web conference.