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Category: ENVIRONMENT

Published: 20 November 2015

• Pawan Gupta highlights importance of nature conservation

UDHAMPUR: Highly impressed by the concept of Science Express Exhibition in the moving train that remained stationed at Udhampur Railway Station from 17 to 20 November, 2015, Minister for Forest, Environment & Ecology, Bali Bhagat today said that it is one of the better mediums to spread awareness amongst the masses about environment conservation and issues related to climate change across the country.

During his visit to Science Express Exhibition at Udhampur Railway Station today, the Minister said that environment and global warming is the biggest threat to the mankind and it needs to be dealt with fullest determination and coordinated efforts by various stakeholders of the society at different levels. He said global efforts are being made to develop a consensus to jointly fight against the challenge of climate change which is a great threat for the mankind in the present era.

Describing the Science Express Exhibition a unique initiative by the Union Ministry of Science & Technology and Indian Railways with active support of several other organizations to educate the masses about the environment protection and conservation of other natural resources in the country, the Minister said that the initiative will go a long way in reaching out to large number of people, especially the students which are real ambassadors for generating awareness about this noble cause. He evinced keen interest in the exhibition and acquainted himself about the latest techniques and initiatives evolved by the scientists to save the environment and other natural resources.

Addressing the students and teachers on the occasion, Mr. Bali Bhagat said that students are real ambassadors and can very effective in spreading awareness about this important subject in the their homes and he called upon them to carry forward this message to awaken the unaware people about their responsibility towards conserving the environment and natural resources like forests and water bodies. He said environment degradation is one among the major causes of climate change and posing great threat to the living beings in the form of disasters like floods, draughts, earthquakes and untimely rains. The need of the hour is to make collective efforts at different levels with the active involvements of social organizations, educational institutions to seek solution to this common problem to secure better tomorrow, he asserted.

Mr. Bali also called upon the functionaries of the Environment and Ecology Department of Jammu and Kashmir to chalk out a well thought out strategy and a calendar of activities to launch a vigorous state-wide awareness campaign with the support of all important stakeholders of the society. He also called on the media to play its important role in highlighting the importance of environment conservation and issues related to the climate change under a sustained campaign so that people voluntarily come forward to contribute in this noble cause. He said only government efforts are not sufficient, but entire society and even every individual has to understand their responsibility to save nature.

Minister of State for Finance, Mr. Pawan Gupta also spoke on the occasion and highlighted the importance of environment. He also appreciated the concept of Science Express and said that the train will attract large number of people across the country and achieve the objective of generating awareness about the environment protection and climate change. He called upon the school teachers to focus on the subject on daily basis during the daily Morning Prayer and assembly to generate maximum awareness about this most important subject.

The Science Express Train consisting 16 AC coaches, which is currently in Jammu and Kashmir will halt at Samba Railway station from 21 to 23 November for the public and then move to Pathankote and remain halted there from 24 to 27 November. During the four days at Udhampur, a huge rush of people from all walks of life, especially students showed great enthusiasm in the exhibition and got acquainted with the subject.  

The Science Express started its journey on 15th October, 2015 and concludes on 7th May, 2016 covering 19000 km through several States in the country. This is a joint venture by the Union Ministry of Science and Technology, Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Ministry of New & Renewable Energy, Indian Railways, National Innovation Foundation India and Vikram Sarabhai Community Science Centre. The coaches of the Science Express have been specially designed and fully equipped with the material and models focusing on the impact of climate change and impact of environment degradation on the earth planet.

Among those present on the occasion included, Principal Secretary Forests, Mr. Rakesh Gupta, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Mr. A.K. Singh, Director Soil Conservation, Mr. Ravi Kesar, Director Social Forestry, Mr. Suresh Chug, Director Environment & Ecology, Dr. O.P. Sharma, Chief Conservator of Forest, Jammu, Mr. Roshan Jaggi, Conservator of Forests, Mr. Brij Mohan Sharma, DFO, Udhampur and district officers of various departments and large number of students and teachers of various schools.