The University of Hyderabad (UoH), in collaboration with the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA); World Green Army; National Service Scheme (NSS) and Student for Development organized a Mega Plantation drive in the campus on 28th July 2021 on the occasion of the World Nature Conservation Day. A total of 10,000 saplings were planted in different locations in the campus.
Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor, Prof. B. J. Rao was the Chief Guest and planted the first sapling of the drive in presence of Prof. Arun Agarwal, Senior Professor, School of Computer and Information Sciences; Shri. P. Sardar Singh, Registrar; Prof. R.S. Sarraju, School of Humanities; Prof. A C Narayana, School of Earth Sciences, Prof. Bopanna Nagarjuna, Dean Students’ Welfare; Dr. A. Bindu Madhava Reddy, NSS Coordinator; Dr. Ravula Krishnaiah, Unnat Bharati Abhiyan Coordinator; Shri G.V. Reddy, Assistant Registrar, Horticulture Department and C.P. Sharma, Senior Horticulturist.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof. B. J. Rao observed that whereas conservation is done naturally by the nature, human beings are now doing the conservation and this has happened, because they themselves have done the de-conservation. We need to restore the natural flora and fauna. Naturalists should help us to restore & conserve and Awareness of natural biodiversity as necessary. Nature has chosen biodiversity for its own beauty, whereas human beings are doing it for commercial purpose, which is not correct. Let us get closer to nature for the beauty of its own sake, he advised.
“World Nature Conservation Day allows us to contemplate the importance of a sustainable environment. University has taken several earlier initiatives like Save Water through check dams and recharging ground water, Save Electricity through solar panel deployment, recycling processed sewage water for watering plants etc. Today’s event was another attempt to put plantations along the corridor to increase the green cover”, said Prof. Arun Agarwal. Later he thanked HMDA, NSS and others for extending their helpful hands.
“We are born and live with nature. We should protect nature to protect ourselves”, said Prof. RS Sarraju, faculty, School of Humanities.
Prof Arun Kumar Patnaik, Department of Political Science congratulated the World Green Army for organising the World Nature Conservation Day. “As humanity progresses, it is significant for us to conserve natural species like trees and animals. Both capitalism and socialism have subjugated them ruining development of an integral humanity. Following philosophy of integral humanism we should care and nurture trees and animals and thereby secure a better future for our posterity”, he added.
“I urge our campus community to protect and preserve nature. It should be our collective effort to conserve nature for future generations”, said Dean – Students’ Welfare, Prof Boppana Nagarjuna.
On this occasion, NSS coordinator, Dr A. Bindu Madhava Reddy reminded the motto of NSS; “Is to understand the community in which they work, understand themselves in relation to their community”. The Nature plays a major role in community and at large in balancing the ecosystem. He urged all NSS volunteers to be vigilant about nature and protect the rare flora and fauna with an extra effort before they become extinct.
Rohit Kumar Bondugula, the founder of World Green Army said, “to ensure the well being of the present and the future generations, we all must be responsible and participate in protecting and conserving our nature”.
The event was coordinated by Sri V.V. Subba Rao, Assistant Horticulturist & Mr. Rohit Kumar Bondugula, Ph.D scholar at the School of Computer Information Sciences, UoH which was attended by Officers, Staff and Students.