Sustainability takes centre stage during fourth day of DST INSPIRE Camp at KMV

Jalandhar, October 18, 2024: On the fourth day of the prestigious INSPIRE camp, hosted by KMV, the spirit of scientific curiosity remained at its zenith, with eager participation from students representing a variety of schools. 

The eminent speaker Dr.  C. Nirmala (Professor, Department of Botany, Panjab University, Chandigarh) conducted a workshop on topic titled "Bamboo: The Miracle Plant" where she showcased the diverse potential of bamboo. During the presentation, she displayed nearly 20 bamboo-based artefacts, including products like cookies, pickles, fabrics, sarees, and stoles. The workshop highlighted bamboo's versatility and its applications in food, textiles, and sustainable living, underscoring its importance as a renewable resource. This workshop aimed at educating the students about the diverse benefits and uses of bamboo in sustainable development. 

Dr. Nirmala highlighted bamboo’s unique properties, such as its rapid growth, versatility, and potential to replace conventional materials in industries like construction, textiles, and even medicine. The audience learned about bamboo’s environmental benefits, including its ability to absorb large amounts of carbon dioxide, restore soil fertility, and prevent soil erosion. These features make bamboo a critical resource in the fight against climate change. Additionally, she also discussed the economic opportunities that bamboo offers, particularly in rural communities, where it can create jobs in farming, manufacturing, and crafts. The insights she shared about bamboo’s potential to revolutionise various industries from construction to environmental conservation were truly eye opening. 

The next eminent speaker Dr. Promila Pathak, a distinguished Professor from the Department of Botany at Panjab University, Chandigarh, delivered an insightful and captivating presentation on the topic "Orchids – A Wonderful World of Flowering Plants." In her talk, Dr. Pathak explored the fascinating world of orchids, emphasising their unique beauty, intricate structures, and ecological significance. She discussed the wide diversity of orchid species, which are known for their striking blooms and complex pollination mechanisms. Highlighting their global distribution, she explained how orchids thrive in a variety of environments, from tropical rainforests to temperate regions, making them one of the most diverse families of flowering plants. The event aimed at deepening the knowledge of students and faculty about orchids, known for their captivating beauty and ecological significance. The session delved into the intricate details of the orchid family. 

Dr. Pathak highlighted the diverse species of orchids found across the globe and their unique adaptations to various environments. She also highlighted the importance of orchids in maintaining biodiversity and their role in ecological balance. The audience was particularly intrigued by the discussion on the symbiotic relationship between orchids and pollinators, which plays a crucial role in the reproduction of these plants. During the interactive segment, students had the opportunity to ask questions and learn about orchid cultivation, conservation methods, and the threats orchids face due to habitat destruction. 
Dr. Pathak encouraged the participants to take an active interest in conserving rare species of orchids and provided practical tips on how to grow these plants in home gardens. The audience was undoubtedly intrigued by Dr. Pathak’s deep knowledge and passion for orchids, as she shed light on their biological wonders, ecological roles, and the challenges they face in the modern world. 

The next distinguished speaker was Dr. Anil Sharma (Scientist and Head at ICAR, Government of India) who captivated the audience with his presentation titled "Environmental Pollution and Global Warming due to Agrochemicals". His presentation offered an in-depth analysis of the environmental and health consequences of agrochemical use, while also proposing sustainable solutions to address these issues. His insights highlighted the critical connection between agriculture, environmental health, and climate change, providing a clear path towards more sustainable and responsible farming practices moving forward. A quiz activity on plant-related topics was organized by the Department of Botany, as part of its efforts to raise knowledge about plant biology, ecology, and the role of plants in the environment. The quiz aims to engage students in an interactive learning experience, promote competitiveness, and improve their plant knowledge. Students also visited the botany labs to observe diverse plant species and experience scientific research processes and enhance practical knowledge in botany and research methods in plant biology. They explored the labs, participated in hands on experiments, observe and understand the techniques used in plant research, study plant growth, development, propagation and also highlight the importance of plant conservation and sustainable horticulture. 

Principal Prof. Atima Sharma Dwivedi averred that the INSPIRE Camp is an intense learning experience for the budding young scientists in which they are exposed to essential aspects of sciences through various innovative activities. She also extended her gratitude towards the guest speakers for delivering such thorough knowledge to the students.