GANDERBAL: KVK Ganderbal organized a Mega Awareness Programme & Plantation Drive in collaboration with 13 Bn SSB Dignibal to commemorate World Environment Day on Wednesday at KVK campus. The programme provided valuable insights into burning issues of environment degradation & pollution, resource conservation & strategies for sustainability of future.
A comprehensive overview of Significance of World Environment Day with focus on use of greener technologies for achieving sustainability was shared by Dr. Ishfaq Abidi, Senior Scientist & Head KVK Ganderbal. He appraised the gathering about the importance of organic farming, resource conservation, integrated farming systems, waste management & reuse/recycling for ensuring a better living space for future generations.
On the occasion, lead lecture was delivered by Prof. Anirudh Garg (Institute of Urban Farming & Sustainability) through online mode. He highlighted the importance of environmental sustainability to address key environmental concerns. Somnath (Commandant SSB) thanked KVK Ganderbal for the collaborative programme & emphasized on systems for resource conservation.
He highlighted the need of tree plantation & afforestation for carbon sequestration, increasing rainfall & prevention of soil erosion. Mirza Iqbal, CEO Khyber Greens gave a detailed overview of land restoration & conservation, with focus on drought resilience strategies.
The participants were taken on a field visit across the campus of the Farm for demonstration of IFS Model in the KVK, which was enlightening & encouraging for them. A Plantation Drive was also organized in which Deodar, Oak & Cyprus saplings were planted across the Farm for increasing green cover. In the second session, Scientists of the KVK Dr. Rafiya Munshi, Dr. Suja Qureshi & Dr. Shaheen Farooq gave detailed lectures about food wastage, environment conservation & one health concept respectively.
The programme was attended by Officers of SSB, Scientists & Supporting Staff of KVK, students & teachers of various Govt and Private schools media personnel and local youth.
Later, students from local schools participated in debate/quiz competitions & outstanding students were felicitated with prizes. The proceedings concluded with Interaction cum Feedback Session, wherein participants raised significant queries, which were deliberated on by Scientists & Officers.
The participants, particularly students and teachers expressed deep gratitude for the programme and wished for more programmes in future. The session concluded with formal vote of thanks by Dr. Farooq Ahmad Ahanger.

Sheikh Anees