Share your story and shine at JK Monitor!🌟 Welcome to JK Monitor, where every story matters and every achievement is celebrated! We invite you to share the remarkable journey of your life and showcase your accomplishments to the world. Join our exclusive interviews that honor exceptional individuals just like you. AWANTIPORA: The Department of Environment, Sustainability and Climate Change (DESCC), Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST), in collaboration with the Department of Planning and Geomatics, Centre for Disaster Risk Reduction, Municipal Committee Awantipora, and ESRAG–Rotary Club of Kashmir, celebrated World Environment Day 2026 with active participation from students, faculty, staff, and representatives of various educational institutions.
Organised under the global theme “Inspired by Nature. For Climate. For Our Future,” the programme aimed to promote environmental awareness, sustainable practices, and innovative solutions to contemporary environmental challenges.
The event commenced with a Cleanliness Drive, flagged off by Prof. Shamim Ahmad Shah, Registrar, IUST, and Prof. Sheikh Ajaz Bashir, Dean Academic Affairs, IUST. This was followed by a Plantation Drive at the University’s Innovation Campus, reaffirming IUST’s commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable campus development.
Welcoming the participants, Dr. Sumira Nazir Zaz, Coordinator, DESCC, highlighted the significance of World Environment Day and emphasized the need for sustainable actions and nature-based solutions to address climate change and ecological degradation.
The programme featured expert lectures by Er. Bashir Ahmad Dar, Managing Director, JK Green Technologies, and Dr. Touseef Bhat from ESRAG–Rotary Club of Kashmir. The speakers shared insights on air quality, energy efficiency, renewable energy, rainwater harvesting, and sustainable resource management, highlighting practical approaches to enhancing climate resilience in the region.
A major attraction of the event was the “Waste to Wealth” Innovation Showcase, where students from different institutions presented innovative projects focused on converting waste into useful and value-added products. The exhibits demonstrated creativity, scientific thinking, and practical approaches to waste management and circular economy principles.
Dr. Yasir Altaf, Organising Secretary, presented the event summary and highlighted the key outcomes of the programme. In his concluding remarks, Prof. Sheikh Ajaz Bashir underscored the importance of collective action and environmental responsibility in addressing contemporary environmental challenges.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr. Dharam Chand, Co-Convener of the event, who expressed gratitude to the University administration, collaborating departments, invited experts, participating institutions, faculty, students, organising committee members, and supporting organisations, including Jammu and Kashmir Bank and ESRAG–Rotary Club of Kashmir, for their contributions to the successful conduct of the programme.
