Ganderbal: Department of Tourism Studies (DTS) in collaboration with the Departments of Botany and Students Welfare (DSW), organized a one-day seminar on “Ecotourism: A path towards sustainable future”, at varsity’s Tulmulla campus here on Wednesday.
The programme was organized under the aegis of “Our Planet: Our Environment and Our campus”, “Mass Mobilization On Mission LiFE”.
Addressing the participants, Registrar, Prof. M Afzal Zargar, stressed the enforcement of the ecotourism practices on ground and implementation of the policies. He spoke about ways they (students) can contribute directly and indirectly towards a better environment.
During his address, Dean School of Business Studies, Prof. Fayaz Ahmad Nikka, underscored the need of promoting ecotourism and more specifically the promotion of unexplored destinations.
He discussed extensively the impacts that tourists have on the destination after their visit and that implementing regulations at destinations is essential to achieve the desirable change in tourists’ behaviour.
Finance Officer and DSW Dr. Mehraj Ud Din Shah emphasized the importance of responsible tourism and the urgency to sensitize all stakeholders on conservation and protection of the environment.
Coordinator, DTS, Dr. Faizan Ashraf Mir, impressed upon the impacts of tourism and the need to manage and mitigate the negative impacts.
Assistant Prof. Shahnaz Akhtar, spoke on concepts of community empowerment, conducting guided tours to create education awareness of ecotourism, need for sustainable transportation and increased conservation funding to sustain ecotourism. She focused on Plastic pollution and how the tourism industry can reduce plastic waste generation.
During the event, various aspects of Ecotourism were discussed and debated threadbare. Scholars of the department engaged the students of MTTM and B.Voc in intellectual discussions. The topics ranging from introduction to ecotourism, global, national and local best practices; policy implications and implementation were discussed. Faculty members, Dr. Faizan A. Mir, Dr. Ramjit Singh, Shahnaz Akhtar, Dr. Abid Nika, Dr. Adil Nazki jointly conducted a panel discussion on the theme. The discussion was moderated by Dr. Asma Bashir.
Dr. Ramjit Singh proposed the vote of thanks.
CUK’s botany deptt holds webinar on IPR
Department of Botany, Central University of Kashmir (CUK), organised an online lecture on Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) with special reference to Plant Sciences under the aegis of MoE IIC 5.0 calendar activities.
Nodal Person of the Deptt, Prof. Azra N Kamili, highlighted the importance of IPR via-a-Research and Development, entrepreneurship and business development of novel plant varieties. Dean SoLS, Prof. M Yousuf deliberated on the need of IPR for Life Science students, researchers & faculty members. He said “we as stakeholders should know how to file IPR.”
Prof. Parvaze Ahmad Sofi, Professor, Genetics and Plant Breeding, SKUAST-K (Wadura) talked about various facets of IPR, its legalities, PPV&FR Act, 2001, Seed Bill 2004, GI tagging, Farmers Rights etc.
He said SKUAST-K has recently launched new saffron variety ‘Shalimar Saffron I’, adding that both SKUAST-K and Jammu and Kashmir administration are working together for GI tagging of 27 local commodities like Saffron, Nishasta halwa (Wheat Starch), Kud Barfi, Mushk Budij etc. He said that local farmers must be awarded Plant Genome Savior, an award from (Ministry of Agriculture) for safeguarding traditional landraces.
Organizing secretary, Asst. Prof. Dr. Sajad Ahmad Lone conducted the proceedings and proposed the vote of thanks. Asst. Prof. Dr. Sofi Javed recorded the proceedings.
