One day consultation workshop on “Environmental Issues of J&K – Need for Cooperation” was organized by J&K ENVIS Centre, DEE&RS, in association with Community College, Central University of Jammu & Wildlife Conservation Fund. The programme was sponsored by Ministry of Environment Forests and Climate Change, GoI.
Emphasising the need to appreciate the true value of environment in the growth and development of our countrySh. O. P. Sharma, APCCF/Director, EE&RS welcomed all dignitaries & invitees and gave brief introduction about the programme. Prof. Ashok Aima VC, Central University of Jammu was the patron of this consultation workshop. Prof. Lokesh Verma, Academic Coordinator, CUJ welcomed such initiative and desired for more such programmes. He also informed the audience about future collaboration of Community College, CUJ with Climate Change Centre and ENVIS centre J&K for developing curricula for online courses on Environment and Climate Change. Mr.Majid Farooq, Scientist/Coordinator ENVIS, presented a brief overview of J&K ENVIS and its role in highlighting the state environmental issues and mentioned aboutusefulness of data and newsletters being uploaded on ENVIS website.

In the first technical session,a very prominent name in the field of Biodiversity, Prof. A. K. Koul, Dean Academics, BGSBU, delivered his lecture enlightened the participants about the biodiversity concerns and challenges the state is facing. He also emphasised that the students are the agents of change, as it is the students who can nurture and enhance the sensitivity towards environment.

Dr.Potakkal George Jose, Scientist, National Institute of Hydrology, spoke about the glacier recession & climate change impacts in the state. Ms.Anuradha Gupta, Scientist, JKSPCB, highlighted the importance of segregation of waste in handling and management of solid waste disposal in the State.
Mr.Humayun Rashid, Scientist, EE&RS gave a general overview of Land use / Land cover changes in the state and its impacts on the environment. Veteran Scientist Prof. R. D. Gupta, highlighted the impacts of modernization of agricultural practices on soils, surface and groundwater.

Dr.Pankaj Mehta, Asstt Prof., CUJ and Coordinator, University Innovation Cell stressed on the groundwater quality issues of the Vijaypur block Samba Distt. and its deterioration. Dr. Shweta Yadav, Astt. Prof. CUJ, discussed about the menace of air pollution in the state. Mr.Nadeem Qadri, Environmental Lawyer, Centre for Environment and Law, in his thought provoking lecture motivated the audience about the support that the judiciary can provide for protection of environment.

Rtd. Prof.Bholanath Sharma & Prof H. S. Sehgal, Dean Life Sciences, CUJ chaired and moderated the technical sessions.The workshop concluded that the cooperation between various research institutions and Government is must. Further, it was sought that peoples’ cooperation is necessary to bring about an improvement in the quality of environment and enhance its scientific management.

The program was co-coordinated by Dr. Shahid Mushtaq, Dr.Irfan Khursheed Shah, Dr.Pankaj Mehta & Mr.Gowhar Meraj.