The ‘International Cleanup Day 2025’ and the felicitation ceremony on Green Campus Awards were organized today at Government Degree College (GDC) Kulgam by the Department of Environmental Science and the NSS wing of the college, in collaboration with the Climate Reality Project India and South Asia.
International Cleanup Day is a global movement uniting millions of people to address the problem of mismanaged waste and promote a cleaner environment. Communities worldwide organize local cleanups, raise environmental awareness, and inspire actions for a waste-free future.
Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) Kulgam, M.Y. Tarigami, who is also Chairman, House Committee on Environment, J&K Legislative Assembly, was the chief guest on the occasion. Addressing the participants, he deliberated in detail on various aspects of the environment, stressing the need for cleanup drives along critical and fragile ecosystems to safeguard them from waste pollution.
District Development Commissioner, Athar Amir Khan was the guest of honour. He provided an overview of the ecological crises facing the world and highlighted the environmental treasures of Kulgam, richly endowed by nature.
Patron of the program and Principal, GDC Kulgam, Prof. (Dr.) M Abass Shah, in his address, spoke at length about the environmental measures initiated by the college over the years. He also received the Gold Award from the Green Campus Program of the Climate Reality Project India and South Asia for the green and sustainable practices adopted by the college.
The Co-Patron of the program, Advocate Nadeem Qadri, Advisor, Green Campus Program, Climate Reality Project India and South Asia, highlighted the significance of the initiative and briefed the audience on the need to adopt green campus practices.
Aadil Bhat, Program Officer, Green Campus Program, also spoke on the various green campus initiatives. A felicitation ceremony was also held to honor the teaching and non-teaching staff members of the college for their contributions to the Green Campus Program.
The event further featured a cleanliness drive by the Municipal Council Kulgam with students of the college, as well as a plantation drive carried out by the District Forest department within the campus. The program was attended by academicians, researchers, environmentalists, and students.