A refresher course on “Environmental issues” started today in the Department of Botany, Panjab University, Chandigarh. More than 50 participants have registered for this course from all over India. It is a 21 days programme to deliberate on various burning issues related to environment. During the inaugural session, Prof. Gurmail Singh, Dean International Students, Panjab University, Chandigarh addressed the participants and shared his views concerning the environment. He emphasized on the role of environment in overall growth and financial health of the country. Prof. A. S. Ahluwalia, Chairperson, Department of Botany and coordinator of this refresher course welcomed the participants and stressed for an active role in conserving environment.
It is our moral and ethical duty to keep our environment sustainable for the betterment of present and future generations. Experts from various institutes, universities will throw light on various aspects of the environment. Dr. Jayanti Datta, Deputy Director, Academic Staff College, PU, Chandigarh, briefed the participants about the course, scheduled programme and other activities going to be held during this course. Prof. T. N. Lakhanpal, Department of Biosciences, Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla, spoke on the topic ‘Man, Mankind and the Environment’ which resulted in fruitful discussion.