2-Day National Seminar on “Environmental Ethics: A Religious Perspective” Gets Underway at KU

KG News Desk

Srinagar, Mar 15: A two-day national seminar themed “Environmental Ethics: A Religious Perspective” organized by Department of Shah-i-Hamadan, Institute of Islamic Studies, began at University of Kashmir on Tuesday – March 15, 2022.

The inaugural session, as per a statement issued to Kashmir Glory, started with a welcome address by Prof. G.N. Khaki, Head of the Department and Director of the Seminar.

Mr. Khaki introduced the theme of the seminar before the august gathering.

Prof. Shakil Ahmad Romshoo, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor of Islamic University of Science and Technology acted as Chief Guest on the occasion and delivered a key-note address.

Prof. Romshoo spoke on climate change and the disaster it has created around the globe and within the country. The celebrated speaker stressed on the need to create mass awareness so as to preserve natural resources as much as possible, specifically making reference to the Himalayan glaciers.

The former Vice Chancellor of Central University of Kashmir, Prof. Mehraj ud Din Mir was the Guest of Honor on the occasion.

Prof. Mir spoke about the religious teachings which can and should be used by the religious preachers of adherents of different faiths in mobilizing people to make a harmony between human and nature.

Prof. Sidiq Wahid, the founding Vice Chancellor of Islamic University of Science and Technology was also the Guest of Honor on the eve.

Prof. Sidiq spoke about how humans are moving towards greed rather than humanity? Prof. Wahid while referring to the Vedas made mention that it is human duty towards Mother Nature to preserve it and that all religions lead to the commune with nature.

The president of the inaugural function, Prof. Talat Ahmad, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor of the University of Kashmir in his presidential address referred towards the National Educational Policy 2020 and maintained that academic events like this seminar have contemporary relevance where different branches of learning; science, social sciences and humanities have to work together in a single platform to address the burning issues which are common to all particularly the environmental crisis.

While addressing the august gathering Prof. Talat mentioned it has been due to abnormal exploitation of God given resources by humans that humanity is suffering from climatic disasters in the shape of floods and pollution.

Prof. Talat highly suggested that plantation drive at mass level can be an immediate step that needs to be taken by one and all and there has to maintain the balance between economic development and preservation of natural resources.

The academic activities report of the past three years particularly during Covid lock down was presented by Prof. Manzoor Ahmad Bhat, former Head of the Department. The proceedings were coordinated by Dr. Nasir Nabi, the Coordinator of the Seminar who also proposed the vote of thanks towards the end of day one.