Academic

Department of Environmental Science at Integral University, Lucknow observed World Wildlife Day on 13th March, 2019. The Chief Guest of the function was Dr. Shailendra Singh, Country Program Director, Turtle Survival Alliance, Lucknow. The Program was attended by Dr. Syed Nadeem Akhtar, Director Planning and Research & Dean, IIEST, Integral University, Prof. Syed Aqeel Ahmad, Head Civil Engineering Department & Director, HRDC, Integral University, Prof. Monowar Alam Khalid, DSW & Head Environmental Science Department along with the faculty members and 107 students from the University.

The theme was given by United Nations for the year 2019 based on “LIFE BELOW WATER: For People & Planet”, which perfectly aligns with goal 14 of UN Sustainable Development with a specific focus on the conservation and sustainable use of marine wildlife. The capacity of life below water is severely impacted, as our oceans and the species that are living in it are heavily assaulted from an onslaught of threats. These threats have a strong impact on the lives and livelihoods of those who depend on marine ecosystem services, specifically women and men from coastal communities.

The animals and plants that are living in the wild have an intrinsic value and contribute to the ecological, genetic, social, economic, scientific, educational, cultural, recreational and aesthetic aspects of human well-being and sustainable development. World Wildlife Day is an opportunity to celebrate many beautiful and varied forms of wild fauna and flora. On this day we need to raise awareness and use all our intellectual and material resources to bring about change in the right direction with a sense of urgency for this the only planet we can live on.

The Program started with the Speech of Dr. Syed Nadeem Akhtar. He shared his valuable views about how human beings are exploiting the rivers and other natural resources leaving no space for the wild life and thus glooming the future of humanity itself. This further continued with the elicit presentation by Dr. Shailendra Singh, Country Manager, Turtle Survival Alliance, who spoke about “Freshwater Wildlife under Water” in Uttar Pradesh” and shared his field experiences with us. Prof. Monowar Alam Khalid also shared his experiences of Marine research and Radio-Collaring of Wild Elephants in West Bengal and narrated interesting stories related to it and the issues faced by it in the wilderness.

The highlight of the program was a skit on the theme “Human-Wildlife Conflict”, by B.Sc (H) 1st year students from Environmental Science Department. In the skit the students presented the various human threats being faced by the wildlife and its consequences on nature as a whole. They tried to emphasize on the fact that we humans for our selfish needs are exploiting the nature towards irreversible damage.

The B.Sc & M.Sc students of Environmental Science Department arranged an exhibition that constituted various Eco-friendly usable items prepared by them using waste material as an effort to generate awareness about the reuse and recycle concept of waste management.

The program was hosted by Dr. Rahila Rahman Khan and completed with the vote of thanks by Dr. Syed Saema from Environmental Science Department.