Ganderbal, Nov 16: Two-day workshop on “Lakes and Watersheds: From exploitation to conservation” was organized by Division of Aquatic Environmental Management (AEM), Faculty of Fisheries SKUAST- K, Rangil Ganderbal.
The workshop was based on a theme of imparting awareness among the students, all stakeholders including people residing around the lake banks about the importance of lake management and conservation. The program was sponsored by Jammu and Kashmir innovation council, Department of science and Technology in collaboration with lake conservation and management authority (LCMA).
On First day of the inaugural ceremony Dr. Imtiyaz Qayoom, organizing secretary gave a brief review about the activities to be carried in the workshop. Prof. (Dr) Adnan Abubakr, HOD, AEM briefed the technical aspects about lake management and conservation. Prof. (Dr) Farooz A. Bhat, Dean, Faculty of Fisheries, spoke about the importance of lakes in terms of ecology and service to mankind. He emphasized on the need of the hour to conserve our waterbodies for future generations. He also congratulated the organizing secretary and the division for conducting such kinds of workshops. After inaugural function, one expert lecture was delivered by Dr. Mubashir Jeelani, Assoc. prof. GDC, Sumbal who not only impressed upon the causes of lake deterioration but also on the key points that will help in their restoration, rehabilitation and conservation. The lecture was followed by intra faculty debating competition held in the Faculty of Fisheries on the same theme in which UG and PG students of the faculty shared their ideas.
On Wednesday, an awareness drive was conducted by the division of AEM in collaboration with LCMA along the banks of dal Lake. The drive was conducted by the students of Faculty of Fisheries along with the organizing secretary, Dr. Imtiyaz Qayoom, the DFO LCMA, Mrs. Gazalla Abdullah, Assistant professors from Faculty of Fisheries and various officials from LCMA. This drive included a rally in which placards and banners were displayed by students followed by an interactive session with the local residents, shikara riders, shopkeepers, local vendors and passing by people to imbibe in them the sense of awareness about lakes conservation.
A keynote lecture on the strategies adopted for saving Dal Lake, restoring its water quality and rehabilitating its banks was delivered in online mode by the Vice Chairman of LCMA, Dr. Bashir Ahmad Bhat (IRS) before the august gathering of scientists and students of the faculty followed by the interactive Q&A session. He also spoke about the achievements of LCMA in rehabilitating the various lake sites and its beautification in the periphery and catchment.
Valedictory function was held at the Faculty of Fisheries presided over by Hon’ble Vice Chancellor SKUAST-K, Professor (Dr) Nazir Ahmad Ganai, Mr. Saurabh Bhagat (IAS), Commissioner Secretary JKDST, Professor (Dr) Sarfaraz Wani, Director Research, SKUAST-K, Professor (Dr) Farooz Ahmad Bhat, Dean, Faculty of Fisheries, Dr. Nasir A. Shah, Additional Director JKSt&Ic, Mr. Bilal A Bhat, Joint Director Jkst&Ic and Prof. (Dr)Adnan Abubakr , HoD, Division of AEM.
