FBS conducted a science seminar on ‘Environmental Challenges – Our Common Future’ by Dr. Jaya Krushna Panigrahi, Secretary, Orissa Environmental Society on 20 March, 2023.

The seminar began with a short video from BBC highlighting the environmental challenges caused by wanton human activities in the name of development.

Dr Panigrahi threw light on a variety of environmental issues posing threat to life on this planet including pollution – types and effects, renewable, non- renewable and sustainable resources, ozone layer depletion, greenhouse effect, acid rain and deforestation. He stressed the need of conservation of ecosystems and biodiversity. He also vividly explained the terms eutrophication, bio-magnification and genetic mutations. The perils of environmental degradation were graphically illustrated with examples of the Plastic Island, pollution of the Ganges, coastal erosion in Odisha and its impact on annual nesting of Olive Ridley Turtles.

The speaker explained the objectives of the 5 R’s :- refuse, reduce, reuse, repurpose and  recycle. He wanted the students to understand the paramount importance of rainwater harvesting, organic farming and observation of important days related to environmental regeneration. He cited example of Sunderlal Bahguna, the Indian environmentalist to encourage the students contribute their mite to the cause of environmental protection. A video titled ‘Let’s learn from this crow’ was shown to this effect.

The talk was followed by an interactive Q&A session. The event concluded with the proposal of vote of thanks by the Principal, Mr Mathew Thomas. The talk was organized by the Department of Basic Sciences, SiliconTech for the students of FBS as part of their outreach programme.