Y.S. RANA,CHANDIGARH : The National Level 58th Orientation Programme concluded on Monday held at Kumaun University, Nainital. Environmentalist Prof A D Ahluwalia (Ex HOD Geology Dept and Environment Outreach In charge, Panjab University, Chandigarh, was Guest of Honour and inaugural speaker at the programme. He interacted with 45 teachers participated across the country including Laccadive Islands. He delivered two interactive Talks: 1. Beauty, Grandeur, Resources of Mother Earth : a joy for entire humanity & biodiversity & 2. Fighting natural and man- made disasters through scientific temper and social awareness about earth sciences
He covered a wide spectrum of environmental and earth sciences, eco toursism, geotourism, popular issues, technical issues as well as issues for masses, students, families, teachers, politicians, media and leaders/administrators aiming at national building through sowing knowledge seeds among all generations for all times. Also dealt with disasters man made as well as natural i.e. Flash floods, tsunamis, landslides, soil erosion, coastal erosion, water pollution, soil pollution, air pollution etc.
He exhorted the teachers to undertake outreach across society as well as schools, social clubs, religious places and leave no stone un turned in equipping society intellectually and ethically to fight the disasters and various burning environmental issues by setting examples in water and energy conservation, walking, cycling on campuses, gifting saplings not cards, dressing up as per weather, shunning ACs & cars (especially official).
His interactions are under the theme of International Year of Planet Earth (IYPE) a UNO Programme 2007-2009 aiming at creating citizen scientists through this dialogue of earth sciences for society. The teachers are expected to take my inputs home as well teaching places and share it on multimedia sites, institution sites and wherever they feel the thrills of mother earth can be enjoyed for a sustainable development.