Tezpur, June 5, 2025 (Thursday): Tezpur University’s (TU) Department of Environmental Science today organized World Environment Day to raise environmental awareness and promote action for a cleaner, greener future. The celebration commenced with a plantation drive held within the university premises. Gracing the occasion were Prof. Shambhu Nath Singh, Vice Chancellor of TU, and Shri Ankur Bharali, District Commissioner, Sonitpur, along with university staff, faculty, and students.
Following the plantation drive, a pivotal event titled “Dialogue with Stakeholders on Plastic Waste Management” was convened in the Seminar Hall of the Department of Environmental Science. Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Singh emphasized the seriousness of plastic waste management as a critical environmental issue. He called for the development of effective management strategies and systematic approaches to reduce plastic waste.
Shri Ankur Bharali remarked that universities and research institutions play a vital role in exploring viable alternatives to plastics, noting that “mere banning of the use is not a solution.” He further advocated for a collaborative approach between the district administration and the university to enhance public awareness on the issue.
Prof. R. R. Hoque, Dean of Academic Affairs, reflected on the global journey of environmental consciousness since the 1972 Stockholm Conference. He noted that despite significant advancements, “reducing the environmental footprint of plastic and moving towards a cleaner, healthier planet remains a challenge.”
Prof. K. Marimuthu, Head of the Department of Environmental Science, informed the gathering about a departmental initiative titled “Life Without Plastic.” Through this program, the department is actively working to raise awareness about the urgent need to address plastic pollution. The event was overseen by Dr. S. S. Bhattacharya, faculty member of the Department of Environmental Science.
The dialogue session saw active participation from various stakeholders, including representatives from Kaliabor Nursery, Swachh Bharat Mission (Tezpur), Resolin Technologies, Tezpur Municipal Board, and the Balipara Foundation.
