Solan, August 30
Pressing issues related to the environment came under the scanner at the brainstorming session on the ‘State of Environmental Report’ on August 30. Shoolini University and the Department of Environment, Science and Technology, Government of Himachal Pradesh, organised the event in a hybrid mode.
Additional Chief Secretary, Environment Science and Technology to the Government of Himachal Pradesh, Mr Prabodh Saxena, was the chief guest at the event. Delivering an insightful address, Mr Saxena said the masses needed to understand the importance of saving the environment. He emphasised the significance of focusing on setting steps toward the goals of environmental protection. “Environment is still not an issue that everyone is concerned about,” he said, referring to the successful completion of the Saksharta Mission and other government initiatives.
He said these were successful initiatives because both the people and the government were concerned about education. “India and Indians have top global positions but are still unable to create a plan to revive nature,” he added.
The event included a discussion of the State Government's initiative with the World Bank and multilateral agencies. The panel also included brainstorming sessions on agriculture, horticulture, environmental pollution, natural disasters, and key recommendations by the speakers.
The panellists and experts presented recommendations to improve issues related to the environment. Panjab University, Chandigarh, former Vice Chancellor Prof RC Sobti said we should avoid the destructive use of environmental minerals.
Former Vice Chancellor of the University of Horticulture and Forestry, Solan, Prof KR Dhiman, lauded the new government policies regarding contaminated water and the provision of garbage collection facilities by the Municipal Corporation.
Expert Dr Karan Avtar Singh, former Chairperson, Punjab Water Regulation and Development Authority, said there should be a chapter on environmental conservation at the primary level of education with demonstrative seminars.
MMU Vice Chancellor Dr SS Minhas said we should focus more on improving the environment because diseases caused by inadequate environmental conditions account for 25 per cent of all deaths.
Former Vice Chancellor of Cluster University, Mandi, Dr CL Chandan, said we need to work on rising temperatures and cautioned that environmental degradation will also cause food shortages around the globe.
Shoolini University Chancellor Prof PK Khosla expressed concern about the environment, citing floods and tree-cutting around the world as examples. He also cited the recent example of 1000 deaths in Pakistan because of a massive flood which is also an environmental catastrophe.
Shoolini University Vice Chancellor Prof Atul Khosla talked about the need to preserve the environment, which is one of the most critical agendas of today.
Director of Environment, Science and Technology, Government of Himachal Pradesh, Mr Lalit Jain, shared the “State of the Environment Reports” (SoER) to provide decision-makers and the public with credible, timely, and easily accessible information about the state of the environment.
Shoolini University Pro Chancellor Mr Vishal Anand presented the vote of thanks to all the participants and underlined the urgency to take effective steps for the conservation of the environment. He said the recommendations from the brainstorming session would be studied and appropriate recommendations would be made to the government.