Peerzada Zubair
Kupwara, Jul 28 : World Nature Conservation Day was celebrated on 27 July in Panzgam. For 2023, the theme was ‘Living Sustainably in Harmony with Nature’. In line with the theme, the event was aimed at spreading awareness among the students and afford them an opportunity to showcase their innovative side to solve real world issues. ‘Vana Mahotsava’ was also celebrated during the event to celebrate nature and its resources.
During the event, two competitions were organized, the Poster Making competition and ‘Waste to Wonder’ competition, wherein the participants had to present items created out of waste, thus promoting re-use of waste. 200 students from thirteen schools from all over Kachhama, Lone Harie, Kralpura and Panzgam participated in these competitions. Enthusiastic students applied themselves, worked hard, took guidance from their teachers and came up with multiple innovative ways of reusing waste, showcasing practical solutions of the ever-increasing problem of waste management. It was encouraging to see a large number of girls participating in the event and talking about sustainable development, waste management and reuse and recycling. The students showed exemplary creativity, innovative skills, teamwork, planning, and scientific bent of mind. The students came up with thought evoking posters on the theme of nature conservation. Projects were judged on various parameters ranging from their understanding of the concept, neatness of work, utility and oral presentation. The participants were ranked according to the scores of their projects, posters and drawings and books were awarded to the winners.
In line with the ‘Vana Mahotsava’, tree plantation was conducted and a selfie point was made where the students took selfie with the saplings and uploaded them on social media, furthering idea of afforestation and nature conservation. The students also performed a short skit showing the effects of deforestation on the water cycle and how overexploitation of resources has drastic effects on our lives.
‘Swaaha’ is a social enterprise set up by the alumni of IIT Indore with an aim to provide professional waste management services and solutions. Mr. Sameer, the co-founder and director of Swaaha delivered a lecture on ‘Waste Management’ in the event and made the young minds realize that how our smallest of actions can improve the condition of the environment in a profound way.
Approximately 500 students and teachers from nearby schools were present to witness the event and marveled at the creativity of their peers. The teachers and students thanked Indian Army for organizing the event and giving them such a wonderful opportunity of promoting the cause of nature conservation and waste management.
The event witnessed participation of various civil administration officials. Mr.Arzoo Chand(BDO Kralpura), Mr.Aijaz (SHO Kralpura), Mr.Javed (Forest Ranger) attended the event to encourage the students that showcased the jointness of civil administration and Indian Army towards issues of national importance and promoting the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals. Such events by Indian Army reinforce the commitment of the forces that they are devoted to the cause of nation building.
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