Miss KanishkaOn World Ozone Day, ITM University Gwalior organized a gathering of students, faculty and environmental stakeholders to consider a question that goes beyond the issue of protecting the ozone layer: How can communities have a more resilient relationship with the natural resources they rely on?
The Anupam Mishra Memorial Lecture-5 was organised by the university in the School of Sciences, Eco Club Unit, NSS and IKS Cell. The lecture, titled “Global Action for a Cooler Earth” and held under the theme, “Water, Forests, and Ozone: Towards a Resilient and Sustainable Earth,” highlighted the urgent need for action to mitigate climate change and ensure the survival of the planet.
The session discussed the significance of water conservation, traditional knowledge and community engagement and responsible utilization of natural resources. The talks also brought into consideration the link between environmental sustainability and the implementation of local community-based practices.
Water Conservation: A grassroots effort
The keynote address was given by Padma Shri award recipient and social activist Shri Uma Shankar Pandey, who spoke about the need of creating awareness about water conservation by turning it into a movement.
Pandey quoted a principle shared by the environmentalist, Anupam Mishra, which says that “bund on the field and tree on the bund.” The principle focuses water conservation in the landscape, and connects agricultural lands with the conservation of vegetation.
Founder Chancellor Shri Ramashankar Singh Ji recalled Anupam Mishra as a unique personality and spoke about his efforts for conserving ponds, stepwells and traditional water systems. His comments highlighted the contributions of traditional water structures in communities and the significance of retaining this knowledge.
Pro-Chancellor Dr. Daulat Singh Chauhan underscored the need to conserve water not just as a matter of engineering. He said it’s the duty of society and individuals to contribute, emphasizing the importance of community involvement in solving water-related issues.
Linking sustainability with responsible resource use
Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Yogesh Upadhyay pointed out the implications of escalating consumerism over water use and the natural resource being increasingly commoditized. He also spoke about the importance of Aparigraha in his speech, which is a concept of “Not Taking More Than is Meant,” and linked it to the equitable distribution of resources.
The lecture combined the conservation of the environment with traditional and current concern for the use of resources. It also expanded the discussion from one environmental concern to the broader issue of responsible utilization of natural resources through its water and forest theme and the topic of ozone protection.
The event was attended by the dignitaries, faculty members and students of ITM University Gwalior, which marked an academic forum for discussions on Conservation, Community Involvement and Sustainable Living.
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