TURA: A seminar on the global theme of ‘Air Pollution’ was the rallying point of the celebration of World Environment Day at Don Bosco College in Tura on Thursday.
Initiated by the IQAC Cell of the College, speakers from various backgrounds dwelled at length on the problems of air pollution and suggested ways to contain this health menace.
Professor Habul Das, IQAC Co-ordinator, in his welcome address, enthused the students to make optimum use of the beautiful college campus to promote their careers and to make a responsible contribution to society. Prof. Habul invited them to use the internet to find case studies on environment for their class projects. That would motivate them to someday write their own project proposals for a rewarding career in research. Prof. Habul challenged the student community to reduce their use of the cell-phone which has ruined many lives. He suggested that they form groups and devise creative strategies to influence their peers to use the cell-phone responsibly. He also requested them to be a part of the Green Club of the College.
Anu P James, IFS, Asst. Conservator of Forest, the Chief Guest at the celebrations said that in the Garo Hills we are fortunate to have a clean and green environment with the least air pollution compared to the rest of the India. She said it was the responsibility of the Forest Department to maintain this green environment.
The forest officer later, flagged off the student contingent leaving for the plantation drive in the Edenbari Catchment area. The NSS volunteers, NCC cadets and Department of Geography carried saplings of indigenous plants to the site for this purpose.
Dr. Ratan, Chakraborty, HOD, Department of Botany focused his talk on preservation of local species of plants to keep the environment clean and pollution free.
Fr. Bivan Rodriques Mukhim, the Principal took everyone by surprise when he thanked the students of 5th Semester Arts who, despite being a holiday on 5th June, voluntarily went to William Point and cleaned the whole area as their loving contribution to celebrating World Environment Day. The Principal said that celebrations will come and go, but the spirit of the celebration is what really matters at the end of the day. Fr. Bivan Mukhim encouraged the students to imbibe the spirit of voluntary service to keep the environment clean and green. The Principal also made an informative presentation on Air Pollution.
V. Valentine, DPM-IFAD, Tura and Jachang N. Sangma, Guests of Honour joined the Chief Guest, Anu P. James, IFS, the Principal, Staff and students of the College in a plantation drive around the campus as a fitting finale to the celebrations. Later the Chief Guest flagged off the buses carrying the students for the cleaning drive.
