Event

On March 3, 2022, the Department of Environmental Science celebrated World Wildlife Day on its biodiversity-rich green campus. The United Nations' theme for World Wildlife Day 2022 is "Recovering Key Species for Ecosystem Restoration," which is intended to draw attention to the conservation of critically endangered species of fauna and flora.

Dr. Uma Shanker Singh, IFS, Ex-Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Uttar Pradesh, was invited to speak on this important occasion. Dr. Amina Jafri presented the eminent guest with a bouquet, which was followed by a welcome address delivered by Prof. Monowar Alam Khalid, Head, Department of Environmental Science & Dean, and Students' Welfare, who also gave a brief introduction about the Speaker, who has served as the Field Director, Dudhwa National Park and Tiger Reserve, Deputy Advisor and Director, Planning Commission, Government of India, and Director, Lucknow Zoo.

Dr. Uma Shanker Singh spoke on the topic "Status of Wildlife in India" and shared the experiences working in forests and learning about wildlife. He beautifully presented data on critically endangered wildlife in India and around the world. He informed the audience that we have reached a critical point where it is difficult to reintroduce wildlife species; therefore, it is better to avoid and take precautions to minimise the use of natural resources such as forest land, water resources, and so on, as they are the habitat of wildlife and nothing can replace their natural home. He also cited data from endangered species in National Parks such as Jim Corbett National Park, Gir National Park in Gujarat, and others.

During his lecture, he emphasised how human greed is putting already endangered flora and fauna at risk of extinction. The audience participated in an interactive session, raising questions about the problem of species extinction, for example, which were logically answered by the eminent speaker, who also made the audience aware of the current and upcoming challenges that the world is likely to face.

The Program was also graced by Prof. Syed Aqeel Ahmad, Head Civil Engineering Department & Director, HRDC, Prof. Shahid Ali Khan and number of faculty members and more than 50 students from various departments of the University.

The Department of Environmental Science also organized quiz and essay competitions on this occasion, where the First prize for Quiz completion was awarded to Abhishek Kushwaha, BCA (II Year); Second prize to Ankit Kumar Singh, B. Sc EVS (II year); Third prize jointly to Saman Mehndi B. Tech–Biotech (II year) and Abhishri B. Sc. EVS (II year).  For Essay competition, First position went to Shrinee Misra, B.Sc. EVS (III year) and Second prize was given to Prashant Pandey, BCA (II year) of Integral University. The program was successfully anchored by Dr. Rahila Rahman Khan, which ended with the vote of thanks delivered by Ms. Mohsina Khan of Department of Environmental Science.