Concern over impact of climate change

A number of eminent persons, organisations and educational institutions across Assam observed the World Environment Day today with a host of programmes, some dealing with this year’s theme Melting Ice – A hot topic? Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi and Forest Minister Rockybul Hussain planted saplings at the Assam Secretariat complex to mark the occasion. Besides, 450 employees of the Secretariat also planted saplings. At Sarusajai, Gogoi laid the foundation of a children’s ecological park.

WWF-India, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh State Office and the Dept of Zoology, Gauhati University, observed the World Environment Day at the university. The main focus was on the two special lectures and the interactive sessions between students and experts on Climate Change and Biodiversity.

Professor Abani Kr Bhagabati, Dept of Geography, Gauhati University, in his lecture elaborated on the process of Climate Change, its causes and disastrous impact on humans and the biosphere. He also expressed his concern about the rapid shrinkage of the glaciers around the world due to global warming. Population growth, pressure on nature, melting of ice and the consequent loss of biodiversity was highlighted by Dr P K Saikia of Dept of Zoology, Gauhati University. The theme of World Environment Day was initiated by Prof DK Sharma, Head of the Dept of Zoology. In his welcome address Dr Surajit Baruah, of WWF-India, Assam briefly spoke about the conservation initiatives taken by WWF-India.

The day was also celebrated at IIT-Guwahati by planting saplings on the IIT Guwahati Kendriya Vidyalaya premises and other parts of the campus. Former VC of Gauhati University NK Choudhury, Dr Brajendra Nath Roychoudhury, registrar, IIT-Guwahati, and a number of other eminent persons attended the event. The students of IIT-G and KV IIT-Guwahati were also present in the programme.

Trees for Life, an NGO in collaboration with Forensic Science Laboratory and Retired Forest Officer’s Association, conducted a tree plantation drive in the Lab’s campus. A meeting was also held on the occasion, which was presided over by Dr Rajkumar Pradyut Gohain and addressed by HK Choudhury, KN Dev Goswami and AD Lahkar.

The Bamunimaidam Students’ Union also carried out a day-long programme to mark the occasion. The Union distributed saplings among schools and clubs in the area and also organised an essay contest for students.

The Irrigation Department marked the day with a tree plantation drive in the Chief Engineer’s campus. This was in response to the large-scale destruction of forests in the region.

Central IT College, Dispur, organised a photo exhibition and social awareness campaign to mark the Day. The photo exhibition was held at the Gauhati Artists’ Guild. Noted artist Noni Borpujari and film actor Ravi Sharma inaugurated the exhibition. The theme of the exhibition was Sankalp – a pledge to highlight increasing water, air and land pollution.

Some vital information on these aspects were released on the occasion. Students also enacted street plays at various places of the city to project crucial environmental concerns

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