Chairman, J&K Pollution Control Committee, Suresh Chugh today presided over a felicitation ceremony for volunteers of Disha organization, Trikuta Nagar Welfare Society, students of Government Degree College Marh and GGM Science college for their active participation in the intensive awareness drive regarding use of eco-friendly Ganesha idols to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi 2021.The awareness drive was conducted with the support of Jammu Municipal Corporation from September 10. The focus was on providing training to artisans for making eco-friendly clay idols using natural herbal colors, creating awareness among common masses regarding harmful environmental impact of using POP made idols, chemical based colors and motivating devotees to make eco-friendly idols themselves using innovative natural ingredients.Chugh, Chairman, JKPCC was the chief guest on the occasion. The felicitation ceremony was attended by B. M. Sharma, Member Secretary, J&K Pollution Control Committee; Dr. Syed Nadeem Hussain, Regional Director JKPCC, Jammu; Rajinder Prasad Kakkar, President, Trikuta Nagar Welfare Society; Dr. Deepali Mahajan of GGM Science college; Professor Anjana Chib of GDC and Professor Shakun Sharma both from GDC Marh and the students of the twin Colleges and volunteers of Disha Organization. In his address, the Chief Guest appreciated the initiative taken by Regional Director JKPCC, Jammu, Dr. Syed Nadeem Hussain and Anuradha, Scientist, JKPCC to organize such awareness drives by involving development societies, NGOs, students and implementing authorities. He encouraged students for their active participation during ten days long awareness drive during COVID Pandemic and expressed gratitude towards all volunteers for their selfless efforts.
He also informed that traditionally only clay idols were made and worshipped to show accordance between environment and Hindu rituals, and this practice should be further revived and carried on to save the environment. He pledged the continuous and active cooperation and support of J&K Pollution control committee to the volunteer organizations like Disha, Trikuta Nagar welfare society as well as student groups of NSS, college bodies etc. in organizing similar awareness campaigns and camps in future as well.Earlier, Regional Director JKPCC Jammu, Dr. Syed Nadeem Hussain gave a brief introduction on the work done by JKPCC in association with Disha organization during the past couple of years, especially the “Save Tawi Campaign” launched to create mass awareness for cleaner and eco-friendly disposal of items & idols during the Ganesh Chaturthi & Sakh Visarjan. He lauded the efforts of Disha Foundation & the co-operation extended by NSS & GDC, Marh & GGM Science College.B. M. Sharma, Member Secretary, JKPCC presented the keynote address and deliberated upon the growing and unabated trend of making POP idols, which being cheap and easy to make expose the river and other water bodies to further environmental degradation and water pollution due to presence of toxic chemicals in the POP and chemical dyes used to decorate these idols. He further emphasized the role of citizens in ensuring replacement of POP made idols by eco-friendly idols for betterment of society as a whole. He urged the colleges and educational institutions to make their campuses & microenvironment cleaner by adopting the green practices like reducing use of Polythene carry bags and ensuring that there is no open burning of MSW in the college including its vicinity.Other officers present in the event were Principal Scientific Officer, JKPCC, Neelu Sharma, Divisional Officer, Jammu North, Anil Sharma, Divisional officer, Jammu South, Arshad Malik, President Trikuta Nagar Welfare Society, Rajinder Prashad Kakkar and Scientist, JKPCC, Anuradha.