People’s Association for Science and Environment (PASE) celebrated World Environment Day 2021 on June 5th virtually. The programme was supported by Vigyan Prasar, an autonomous body under Department of Science & Technology, Govt. of India.

Prof. Saikat Maitra, vice-chancellor, Maulan Abul Kalam Azad University of Technology, Kolkata (MAKAUT, WB) while inaugurating the webinar narrated various challenges to maintain ecosystems and biodiversity in the international, national and local perspectives. He advised the students to take initiatives to maintain ecosystems at their local level.

Dr. Anirban Roy, scientific officer of West Bengal Biodiversity Board delivered the thematic lecture in the occasion. He stressed on the restoration of different micro- ecosystems like that of pond, a tree, farm land and others. Dr. Asok Kanti Sanyal, president of PASE and former chairman, West Bengal Biodiversity Board cautioned that human civilization will face catastrophic situation if they continue their misbehavior towards nature and wild lives.

India possesses a rich biodiversity and being a responsible citizen we all should take responsibility to protect our nation’s biodiversity at any cost. A short film on biodiversity of West Bengal was shown during the webinar. Students from 16 schools participated in the event displaying short videos on environment/biodiversity and on ‘Ecosystem Restoration’.

Prof. S. N. Joardar, Secretary of PASE encouraged the students to restore local ecosystems and save the environment. Other dignitories present were Prof. Binay Kanti Dutta, ex-chairman, Pollution Control Board and Dipankar Chakraborty, governing body member of PASE.

Also Read:Earth Day 2021: Restore our Earth