World Environment Day, 2018
Celebration of World Environment Day on 5th June 2018 at Nagaland University, HQ: Lumami
As per the directive of the Hon’ble Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India and the initiative of the Ministry of Human Resource Development, Department of Higher Education, Nagaland University celebrated World Environment Day on 5th June 2018 with the theme “Beat Plastic Pollution”. A short formal programme was followed by tree plantations and mass social work in and around the campus.
The programme was chaired by Mr. Otova Swu, Deputy Registrar (Administration). After welcoming everyone, he set the tone for the programme by pointing out how alarming the environmental problem has become and urged all to make significant contribution towards it solution.
Short speeches were delivered by Prof. A.K. Singh, Vice Chancellor In-charge, Prof. N.S. Jamir, Registrar In-charge, and Prof. S.K. Chaturvedi, Dean, Research, Development and Consultancy
Prof. N.S. Jamir, Registrar In-charge, enlightened the gathering on the establishment of the practice of observing World Environment Day by the United Nations. He brought forward some observations affecting the environment and also some resolutions to be adopted by all individuals citing an example of his visit to Sikkim where people are conscious of maintaining a neat and clean surrounding. He encouraged the staff and students to spread the message on protecting the environment and to observe everyday as a World Environment Day.
Focusing on the theme, Prof. S.K. Chaturvedi, Dean, Research Development and Consultancy educated the staff and students on the meaning and problem of plastic pollution and how to recover from it. He shared about the efforts being made by various NGOs in Maharashtra to beat plastic pollution. He encouraged the gathering to reduce and reuse plastic products and to contribute in abolishing the use of plastic bags. He said India can emulate countries like France, China and Ireland in striving for discontinuation or minimizing the use of plastic products.
Prof. A.K. Singh, the Vice-Chancellor In-charge started his speech with a quote from Mahatma Gandhi: “Be the change what you want to see in the world”. Taking pride in the fact that India is the host for this year’s World Environment Day from among 193 countries of the world, he called for the start of the action from within the people attending the programme. He encouraged the gathering to: Talk green; Behave green; and Act green. He suggested that initiatives be made among students and hostels in the campus by organizing programmes and competitions amongst the same on awareness and cleanliness. He also encouraged the gathering especially the female employees to use non-plastic bags for shopping and marketing and contribute to the goal of a plastic-free world. He ended his speech by stating that we are all connected environmentally, what we do will affect the people who are miles away from us and called upon the staff and students to start the action from today.
The programme ended with vote of thanks from the chairperson calling upon everyone to involve themselves in making a better environment.
Around 200 trees were planted on the occasion. The saplings were generously donated by the office of the Divisional Forest Officer, Mokokchung.
