Excelsior Correspondent
KATRA, Oct 11: Continued with their bi-annual awareness campaign series on the theme “Save The Trikuta Mountains” Part -2, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University (SMVDU) in collaboration with International Volunteer Foundation (IVF) organized a rally of students.
The rally, comprising 100 students, was flagged off by Prof S K Jain, Vice-Chancellor, SMVDU from the university campus. The volunteers marched towards Bhavan with great enthusiasm and passion for making environment of Trikuta plastic free. On the way, they conducted cleanliness drive extending the message of “Swaccha Bharat Abhiyaan” recently launched by the Prime Minister of India.
They also interacted with hundreds of tourists, shopkeepers, locals etc and sensitized them about their responsibility to keep the environment clean and green which is an integral part of human life. They raised voice against the non bio-degradable waste like polythene bags, plastic bottles and other rubbish thrown by the tourists in the deep gorges of the mountains.
Moreover, they alarmed about the health hazards caused by accumulation of these plastic products lying in the environment. They also carried with them dozens of placards and distributed thousands of pamphlets.
On the occasion, Vice- Chancellor, SMVDU, addressed the gathering and encouraged the young volunteers to shoulder the responsibilities of keeping their environment healthy and clean. Dr V K Tripathi, NSS Coordinator also spoke on the occasion. Kiran Kumar Sharma, social worker and chairman IVF, threw light on the worsening conditions of Trikuta Mountains due to irresponsible acts on the part of tourists and native dwellers. He urged the Shrine Board to come up with effective steps such as use of latest technology of waste management, promotion of sanitation, stimulating the pollution control board and participation of locals to maintain the beauty and dignity of this holy place.
Ripu Daman Parihar, a research scholar and IVF State head Punjab, SMVDU Dean of Students Dr Yugal Khajuria, Dr Ajay Kaul, Dr Narendra Bairwa and Dr Saurabh were also present on the occasion.