ECO-CLUB CELEBRATED EARTH DAY-2012 AT AMU
Earth Day- 2012 was observed by the Eco-Club in the Cultural Hall of Maulana Azad Library on 22nd April, 2012. On the occasion, a public lecture was organised to sensitise the university students and staff for their active participation in protecting the mother earth. Professor Abrar Hasan (former Chairman ENT and Dean, Faculty of Medicine, AMU) presided over the lecture. Dr. Humayun Rashid Khan (ACJM), Aligarh was the Chief Guest and Dr. Mohammad Moazzam (Deputy Scretary, Ministry of Environment and Forest, Govt. of India) was the Guest of Honour. Three brief talks on "Safety in Judicious Use of Earth Resources" were delivered by Professor Arif Inam (Member In-Charge, Land & Gardens Department and Former Chairman, Department of Botany), Professor M. Anis (Chairman, Department of Botany & Patron, Eco-Club), Dr. Fareed Ahmad Khan (Associate Professor in Ecology & President of the Club). The prizes to the winners and participation certificates of the Essay Writing Competition (organised on the occasion of World Wetland Day-2012) were awarded.
Two slides shows were also screened. Mr. Arif Md Yeasin Jwadder, Secretary of the Eco-Club presented a brief report and future action plan of the club. The programme was compared by Anam Rais khan, Executive member of the club. Among those present were Dr. Shadab Khurshid, Dr. Samina Khan, Dr. simeen Hasan, Dr. Aysha Munira, Dr. Zaki Anwar Siddiqui, Mr Ayub Shabab, Mr A. R. Khan (station superintendent, Aligarh jn.) and a large number of students and Club members. Mr Shahab Ahmad, Treasurer of the club presented the vote of thanks.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE DAY
Professor Arif Inam emphasized the need for utilizing solar energy more effectively to conserve the fast depleteing earth resources. Professor M. Anis emphasised judicious use of plants and their conservation by all available scientific means. Dr. Fareed Ahmad khan (President, Eco-Club) compared the water quality of Aligarh in 1872 (citing a report of the then Civil Surgeon) and current scenario of water qualtiy. Targeting majority of Muslim students present there, Dr. Khan cited two verses of Quran and some Hadiths and expalined that purpose of creation of earth by almighty was prime than the creation of mankind. The Prophet on various occasions emphasised that plantation is a charity even if only birds or beats or mankind or none of these or all of these drive direct benifits from the planted trees. Dr. Mohammad Moazzam, Deputy Secretary, MoEF, Govt. Of India called for active participation of all AMU students in protecting the earth and promised to come to AMU again if invited for by the club.
Dr. Humayun Rashid khan highlighted the role of India in the environment protection with equal emphasis on eradication of poverty by Mrs. Indira gandhi(the then Prime Minister) and convinced the representatives of developed nations that both the issues are linked together. Now UN has taken up both the issues together. He presented to the Eco-Club, a book of Gadgil &guha on "Historical Accounts of Ecology". Professor Abrar Hasan, called for maintaining a balance between demand and earth resources and to respect the feelings of every creature on the earth. The slide shows highlighted present and past environment of AMU and future scenario if vegetation cover and garbage disposals are not managed properly as the numbers of students in the campus have increased over two folds in the past 25 years.
