Department of Life Long Learning and Extension, Panjab
University (PU) in collaboration with Dev Samaj College for Women Sector 45,
Chandigarh organised a two-day orientation course on “Ethics of Environment and Role
of Youth” on the college premises.  More than 200 community leaders and students
attended the programme.
    Prof Ajaib Singh from the department of Life Long Learning and Extension
(DLLLE), Panjab University in his valedictory address explained that the main problems
related to the deterioration of man’s natural environment were mainly caused by
industrialization and urbanization.  Therefore we have to build a scientific technical
civilization on one side and on the other we have to develop ethics to save our
environment by using it economically.
    Mrs Renu Gandhi, Assistant Professor from the department of DLLLE highlighted
the objective of the seminar and said that everyone speaks of the environment, ecology
and nature and their related pollutants but only a handful of them feel their effects
personally.  Therefore there was need to develop awareness among communities to
control environment related pollutants like management of waste, water, electricity
and other related electronic gadgets so that healthy environment will be created in
the society, she said.
    Dr Sudhir Baweja from University School of Open Learning (USOL) expressed that
environment consciousness can mean anything only if given proper execution by those
who owe their responsibility to mother earth.  Therefore each one of us has to play
substantive role in changing and molding our behaviourial response to environment, we
cannot afford to shift our burden to anything else.  We have to be responsive as well
as responsible in chalking out our course of action.
    Professor Amrik Singh Ahluwalia, Chairman, department of Environmental Studies
said that the soil and water were the major factors upon which life depends on this
earth. “Their misuse results in soil erosion and degradation of land which endangers
biodiversity.  “Therefore there is a need to check the wastage of water at home and at
work place and the soil erosion could be saves by planting more trees”, he said.
    Dr. Meera Modi, Principal of Dev Samaj College for Women welcomed the chief
guest and the resource persons and proposed vote of thanks to the college faculty and
students.  Their staff pledged to work for environment protection by changing their
behaviour toward environment.  
                                       Press Note No.103