World Environment Day organised by the Department of Education, Aligarh Muslim University
Aligarh : “Biodiversity and ecosystem need to be saved and restored, as human interference has caused havoc to the environment resulting in water and air pollution. Common health problems also are directly or indirectly related to our environment and the impact of pandemic on us”, said Dr Hishmi Jamil Husain, head Biodiversity, Corporate Sustainability, Tata Steel. He was delivering an online lecture on “Ecosystem Restoration” as keynote speaker, organised by the Department of Education, Aligarh Muslim University, to mark the World Environment Day.
Dr Hishmi highlighted the Agenda-2030, in which he specified seventeen goals to achieve sustainable development. He referred to the Paris Accord and National Biodiversity Target (NBT) for conservation of climate and biological diversity.
Stressing the need for public awareness regarding plantation he talked about indoor and outdoor plants which act as natural air purifier. He also emphasised on visits to botanical gardens, and physical activities like cycling etc.
In his presidential remarks, Prof Zaheeruddin, Pro-Vice Chancellor, AMU shared his knowledge on protecting coral reefs, energy production through solar plants, and encouraging plantation on degraded lands. He stressed upon integrating values and practices in all aspects of education and learning, and creating sustainable future.
Earlier, Prof Nasrin, Chairperson, Department of Education, welcomed the guests and participants, and introduced the keynote speaker.
Prof Mujibul Hasan Siddiqui extended the vote of thanks, while Dr Mohammad Shaheer Siddiqui conducted the programme.
Another talk on ‘Climate Question and Academic Institutions’ was delivered by Prof. Mohd Rihan, Director of the Centre for Integrated Green and Renewable Energy, ZHCET, AMU.
The programme was organised by the Centre in collaboration with the IEEE students’ branch of ZHCET.
Prof Rihan explained the climate crisis and how the rising level of Carbon Dioxide poses an existential crisis for humanity, particularly the already vulnerable.
Emphasising that academic institutions have to play an important role in creating awareness, searching for solutions and training the manpower to address this challenge, Prof Rihan said the environment protection initiatives should keep the CO2 emissions and global warming at the centre. The role of de-carbonising the electric power supply by adopting green energy sources, energy conservation and sector shifting to green electricity was also elaborated. The need for academic institutions to set good examples in this regard, like AMU has shown, was also underlined by the speaker.
As part of this programme an online quiz based on climate change and environment protection was also conducted. Hamza Ahmad Khan of B. Tech first year, ZHCET won the first prize, while Mohd Ayan and Mohammad Zeeshan of ZHCET won the second and third prize respectively.
Mr. Mohd Zaid, Assistant Professor, Electrical Engineering Department moderated the session and Ms. Mahena Mahmood conducted the programme.
The talk was attended by students, faculty and working engineers.