EARLY TIMES REPORT
JAMMU, June 4: World Environment Day-2021 was celebrated by the Environmental Sciences, Centre for Biodiversity Studies, BGSB University, Rajouri in collaboration with WWF-India, Field Office, Rajouri. This year’s theme is “Ecosystem restoration” which is set in alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The Day was celebrated to raise awareness of the importance of the ecosystem. On the occasion, a webinar was organized in which the faculty, scholars and students of the Department of Botany, Zoology, Biotechnology and Environmental Sciences participated.
Prof Akbar Masood, Vice Chancellor BGSBU in his message highlighted that the healthier ecosystems, with rich biodiversity, yields greater benefits such as fertile soils, good harvest of resources and larger stores of greenhouse gases. Prof Masood said protecting nature is vital in our fight against climate change.
Prof Iqbal Parwez, Dean, School of Biosciences and Biotechnology presented the opening remarks and emphasized that between now and 2030, the restoration of 350 million hectares of degraded terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems could generate US$9 trillion in ecosystem services and ecosystem restoration could also remove 13 to 26 giga tons of greenhouse gases from the atmosphere. The expert talk was delivered by Professor Sunil Nautiyal, Head, Centre for Ecological Economics and Natural Resources (CEENR), Institute of Social and Economic Change (ISEC), Bengaluru on “Environmental conservation and socio-ecological development: an Indian perspective” in which he emphasized on the importance of ecosystems in our environment. He also emphasized the critical importance of the ecosystems and their restoration for the preservation of our planet.
Dr Shreekar Pant, Coordinator, Centre for Biodiversity Studies presented the welcome address.
Dr Mamta Bhat conducted the proceeding of the program while a formal vote of thanks was presented by Mr. Rohit Rattan, Associate Coordinator, WWF – India, Field Office, Rajouri. |
