Several leading personalities from the field of environment showed their concern about the rapidly increasing in pollution levels across the country due to various man-made factors that not only contribute to climate change but also affect the quality of life of human beings. A two-day seminar on environmental pollution and climate change, jointly organised by Doon University, Uttarakhand Environment Protection and Pollution Control Board and Dehradun and School for Environmental Sciences, JNU, New Delhi, began on Friday in Doon University campus.
Addressing the gathering, chief guest NS Napalchayal, chairman Uttarakhand Environment Protection and Pollution Control Board pleaded with everyone to take concrete measures to create awareness about environment among the masses. Showing his concern over climate change, Napalchayal said that the climate change happening globally has affected agriculture and horticulture, and as a consequence the livelihood of the people. Napalchayal also informed about various schemes implemented by the State Government for curbing the problem of climate change.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof Girijesh Pant, Vice-Chancellor disclosed the information about the new academic programme to be initiated by the University. He also spoke about the need of initiating academic programmes and research to solve the problem of climate change and expressed a need for networking of institution in the region.
While addressing the gathering, Dr JK Sharma, School of Environment and Natural Resources, Doon University said that the increasing economic development and rapidly growing population that has taken the county from 3,00 million, in 1947, to over one billion today, is putting too much strain on the environment. He added that plastic is one of the notorious chemical materials which are posing environmental problems. “Polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride and polystyrene are largely used in the manufacture of various plastic items. Plastic in environment is regarded to be more an aesthetic nuisance than a hazard since the material is biologically inert,” he maintained. Dr Sharma showed his concern over the fact that around 500 billion plastic bags are used world wide every year and India's plastic consumption is one of the highest in the world. Dr Sharma said that environmental related pollution problems are growing rapidly in developed and developing countries but could be easily overpowered with joint efforts.
Dr Anand Sharma, director State Meteorological Department raised the issues of air pollution and its effects on weather and climate at local and global levels. He elaborated the role of meteorology and geomorphology in explaining the differences in various changes in climate.
Dr R Dobhal, chairman UCOST, Prof KS Rao, Prof Umesh Kulshetra, Dr Manoj Kumar, Amarjeet Singh, Dr Ajai Gairola and about 41 participants from across the country, were attended the seminar.
