JMC collaborates with PSPS College, organises interaction session on Polythene Ban
STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: Highlighting major challenges posed due to modern urbanization, Mayor Jammu, Rajinder Sharma on Thursday said that polythene is dominating the threats to environment across J&K.
He said that plastic wastes are not decomposed even for decades together and cause irreparable loss to the environment and soil fertility and joint efforts are needed to curb this menace.
Speaking at an awareness-cum-interactive session on ‘Polythene Ban – a mass movement’, the Mayor reiterated that a polythene carry bags and polythene products are major challenge in modern lives victimising animals especially stray cows and human health and a blanket ban on plastic products and polythene bags as initiated by Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) as per G20 objectives is the only solution.
He encouraged the students to be part of the campaign against poly-bags and plastic and “work for the welfare of your own region as plastic is endangering environment and human health here besides causing numerous health hazards to animals especially stray cows.”
The programme was organised by Waste Management Committee and G20 Club of Padma Shri Padma Sachdev (PSPS) Govt. College for Women, Gandhi Nagar, Jammu in collaboration with JMC and the Mayor was chief guest while Baldev Singh Billawaria, Deputy Mayor was guest of honour.
The programme had started with lighting of traditional lamp by the Mayor, Deputy Mayor, Principal of the College and Senior faculty with the recitation of Saraswati Vandana by Dr. Vijender Kumar, HOD Sanskrit Department.
Prof. Minu Mahajan, Principal of the College presented welcome address and apprised the gathering about the importance of clean environment around us and banning of Polythene from the City of Temples.
Principal of the College emphasised that the Institution is taking initiatives to make the college campus plastic and polythene free.
She educated the gathering on how the plastic has come to be used extensively since the past 30 years and as it is not degradable, it causes various ailments.
The Principal insisted that the students as stakeholders should play a positive role by coming forward with innovative ideas to reduce the use of Plastic and be the ambassadors of change.
Baldev Singh Billawaria, Deputy Mayor also spoke on the occasion and acquainted the audience with various steps taken by JMC in controlling plastic pollution.
A documentary on ‘Hazards of Plastic and use of biodegradable carry bags’ by DRDO was also shown to the students.
A symposium on ‘Why polythene is to be banned’ was also organized in which many students participated and expressed their views. The symposium was adjudged by Prof. Mamta Gupta, Dean Commerce, Prof. Kamlesh Salathia, Dean Sciences and Prof. Anjali Bhat, Dean Social Sciences.
The 1st, 2nd and 3rd positions were conferred upon Mehak Pawar, Sanchita and jointly to Mansha Akhtar & Prabjot Kour respectively.
A pledge was also taken by all including JMC team members, faculty and students of College for not using single use plastic and Polythene to curb this menace. Students also raised the slogans like “Say No To Plastic”, “Polythene Hathao Bharat Ko Bachao” etc to spread awareness among the masses.
The stage was managed by Dr M K Mussa, Convenor of the Waste Management Committee.
The staff secretary Prof Mala Bhasin besides committee members of Waste management present in the event were Prof. Harmeet Singh, Dr. Ujjwal Sharma, Prof. Paramjeet Singh, Prof. Suman Bala, Prof. Roopali Salathia, Dr. Ravinder Sharma, Prof. Rajinder Kumar, and Prof. Nidhi Suri graced the occasion. Technical support in the programme was provided by Dr. Ashok Kumar (HOD Biochemistry) and the programme concluded with vote of thanks presented by Prof. Suman Bala.
A large gathering of students and faculty members from various departments were present on the occasion. There was also awareness cum interaction session with the students.