PAU CELEBRATES WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY

LUDHIANA, JUNE 5:



The "World Environment Day" was jointly celebrated by the Centre for Communication and International Linkages (CCIL) of the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) and the Institution of Engineers –India (IEI) here today. On this occasion, the senior officials of IEI and PAU including comptroller, chief engineer, deans, directors, additional directors, heads and faculty of various departments of the University participated in the celebration. The theme of the World Environment Day was "Think, Eat, Save -Reduce Your Foot Print."



Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Guest, Dr S. S. Gosal, Director of Research, PAU, lauded the joint efforts of the CCIL and IEI in the celebration of the "World Environment Day." He divulged that the increase in carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide has resulted into the escalation of mean surface temperature of the earth. The environmental issues such as abrupt climate change, global warming, deforestation, hazardous industrial waste, and air and water pollution call for the attention of the agri-experts, he observed. Hhighlighting that the PAU is lungs of the Ludhiana city, he urged the people from different walks of life to come forward and play a vital role in making the environment cleaner and greener. Dr Gosal also highlighted various PAU developed farm technologies for natural resource conservation, paddy straw management, etc.



In his presidential remarks, Dr PPS Lubana, Dean, College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, emphasized on the blend of science and engineering subjects for the protection of environment. "For the development of eco-friendly technologies, the ill-effects of climate change; global warming; and air, water and soil pollution; need to be studied in detail," he stressed.



In his inaugural address, Dr H.S. Sehgal, Additional Director of Communication, told that to produce 1 kg of chocolate, rice, bread, milk, egg, and tea, nearly 17196, 2497, 1608, 255, 196 and 27 litres of water consumption is required, respectively. "According to Food and Agriculture Organization, about one-third of food is either wasted or lost," he revealed, saying that one out of seven people in the world go to bed hungry. Stating that food wastage is a huge drain of natural resources, Dr Sehgal underlined the need to make right choice of food that has minimum environmental impact, and is grown locally. He traced the history of the "World Environment Day."



In his welcome remarks, Er. M. N. Sharma, Chairman, IEI, Punjab and Chandigarh State Centre, revealed that nearly 1.3 billion tonnes of food is wasted every year. Advising the people to be cautious of the food wastage, he said that the major objective of the celebration of the World Environment Day is to call upon the experts and public to make reformed decisions to help save the environment.

Dr T.S. Kamal, Council Member, IEI, said that the concern for the protection of environment, and for the sustainable development and safety of society are the primary thrust areas of IEI. Disclosing that the IEI has 15 engineering divisions, he said that the engineers of the Institution serve and help all community members in enhancing the health safety.



On this occasion, two special lectures were delivered by the eminent speakers Dr G.S. Hira, former Additional Director of Research (Agriculture), PAU, and Dr J.S. Dhiman, Additional Director of Research (NR&PHM).



Dr Dhiman emphasized on celebrating every day as environment day. Delivering a thought-provoking lecture on the topic "Environmental Concerns for Punjab Agriculture," he pointed out that food wastage during production, transport and storage is a matter of serious concern. Future improvements in food production need to be made, he stressed, while highlighting that the PAU has taken various initiatives to address the emerging environmental challenges and has reoriented its research agenda.



Speaking on the topic "Natural Resource Management for Health and Food Security," Dr Hira raised concern over the pollution of Buddah Nallah in Ludhiana, and pollution of canals and village ponds. He also shed light on rain harvesting on roadside and recharge of ground water.



Ms Sheetal Chawla, Assistant Director (Publications), coordinated the programme.



Dr Anil Sharma, Assistant Director (TV), proposed the vote of thanks.
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