Manoj Godara, Chandigarh, September 29: Professor R.C. Sobti, Vice-Chancellor of the Panjab University has called for taking urgent steps for the conservation and protection of environment and bio-diversity.
Speaking on the occasion of “World Tourism Day” commemoration at the University Institute of Hotel Management and Tourism (UIHMT), Professor Sobti insisted on the importance of proper planning for making tourism successful, making an appeal to the students to act as the saviors of environment. Showing a deep concern regarding wastage of water, he listed measures the university has initiated in regard to water conservation. The Vice-Chancellor announced that a bio-gas plant and water harvesting project will be set up shortly. He also advised the students to look into the causes as to why India was not a very popular destination of international tourists as yet, citing examples of unplanned tourism development at Hemkunt Sahib and Shimla.
The event included a poster making competition to highlight the theme of World Tourism Day besides a lecture on “ecotourism”. Anish Slath, of the UIHMT faculty thanking the Vice-Chancellor to have presided the event stated that the UIHMT proposes itself to be involved in the hospitality activities in the University functions. The students of Hotel Management course availed the opportunity to show their skills in food production and service.
Earlier, Arun Thakur highlighted the importance of world tourism day. He said the concept of celebrating world tourism day started in 1980, and every year one country is chosen for the celebration of the day. The host country this year is China with the theme this year ‘Tourism and Bio-Diversity’. Dr Prashant Gautam, faculty member made a presentation on sustainable tourism development in India with the help of three case studies titled as ‘small stories, big dreams’.