Itanagar, Jun 6: Rajiv Gandhi University’s faculty of Agricultural Sciences and the NSS cell organized a mass plantation drive while observing the World Environment Day-2024 following the essence of 1972 Stockholm Conference declarations. 
The Vice-Chancellor of Rajiv Gandhi University, Prof. Saket Kushwaha, who led the tree plantation drive in his speech, said we are the generation that can make the world more liveable and such plantations should be a daily practice. Dwelling on the theme of the observation this year, he urged the participants to give their focuses on land restoration works, halting desertification and building drought resilience activities to save “Our land and Our Future”. The VC emphasised that protecting biodiversity is vital for maintaining the balance in ecosystems and ensuring good health for all. He further advocated that “Planting trees is one of the simplest yet most effective ways to combat environmental degradation. Today’s activity beautifies our campus and serves as a reminder of our responsibility towards nature.” With such a series of events the University is on to raise environmental awareness and promote sustainable practices. 
The Registrar of RGU Dr. N T Rikam said that the celebrations at the campus underlined the university’s commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable development, through educational talks, practical activities, and community engagement, RGU continues to foster a culture of environmental responsibility among its students and the broader community. Expressing happiness, on students of the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences demonstrating their agricultural products, the Joint Registrar of RGU Dr. David Pertin congratulated the students for their efforts and for the launching of their own products which included vermicompost and vermiwash on a relevant day and further informed that these products will be marketed and made available for the public through an appropriate portal and the sale proceeds will be shared with the students as per the “earn while you learn policy” in place in the university. He further said that the plantation drive aims to enhance the green cover of the campus by promoting biodiversity, and contribute to the fight against climate change. 
The observation also featured an insightful expert talk by Prof. A P. Das, a renowned environmental scientist who emphasized the critical need for ecosystem restoration and the community's role in this effort based on the broad theme “Ecosystem Restoration”. He highlighted various restoration techniques and the importance of sustainable agricultural practices in maintaining ecological balance. He also discussed on Climate change and environmental degradation that are severely impacting our planet's biodiversity—the variety of life forms, from tiny insects to giant whales. The destruction of habitats through deforestation and urbanization, along with pollution and climate change, is causing rapid declines in many species. Rising temperatures and unpredictable weather patterns disrupt ecosystems, making it difficult for species to survive. He suggested conservation efforts to protect the biosphere by establishing more protected areas, promoting sustainable practices, and restoring degraded ecosystems to help preserve biodiversity. He also advocated for strong environmental laws and called for public awareness in combating these challenges.
The day-long tree plantation programme witnessed university fraternity including the officers, faculty members and students enthusiastically carrying out planting of various fruit bearing saplings and timber tree saplings at the NSS Eco Park, Women Techno Park and at the Incubation- cum- Innovation Center areas of the university. Amongst others Finance Officer Prof. Otem Padung, Dean in-charge of the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences Dr. Sandeep Janghu, Assistant Registrar& NSS Nodal Officer Gomar Basar and NSS Coordinator Dr.Tage Monju also spoke. The plantation drive was participated amongst others by the Controller of Examination of RGU Dr. Bijay Raji, Dean, Faculty of Basic Sciences Prof. Sanjeev Kumar, Dean, Faculty of Physical Education & Sports Sciences Prof. Sambhu Prasad, NSS Officer John Gaingamlung Gangmei, faculty members, NSS volunteers, students and employees. (HS)

---

Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

<< Back to News List