GUWAHATI: In a collaborative effort between the Pollution Control Board, Assam, the Department of Zoology, and the Students' Union of Arya Vidyapeeth College, the final phase of an extensive awareness programme was conducted on December 1 within the college premises.
Arup Kumar Misra, Chairman of the Pollution Control Board, attended the event as the Chief Guest.
Misra expressed his deep concern over the current state of ecosystems and water bodies like Sola Beel, attributing the need for awareness programmes to the rampant destruction they face. He emphasised the importance of such initiatives in instigating awareness among the general public. Notably, he lamented the loss of carbon sequestration capacity in water bodies like Sola Beel.
Encouraging the audience to actively participate in the proposed phase-wise activities for the rejuvenation of Sola Beel, Misra pledged comprehensive support, including knowledge-based assistance. To formalise this commitment, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Arya Vidyapeeth College and the Pollution Control Board, Assam.
The event also featured the screening of a documentary titled “The Maudlin Saga of Sola Beel,” edited by Anindita Deka. The documentary shed light on the environmental challenges faced by Sola Beel, underscoring the urgency of conservation efforts.
Distinguished guests at the event included Gokul Bhuyan, Additional Chief Engineer of PCBA; Prof. Parimal Bhattacharjee, Former Professor of GU; Saibal Sengupta, Former Principal of Arya Vidyapeeth College; Bipladananda Choudhury, Secretary of Sola Beel Preservation Committee; and Hemen Lahkar, an Environmental Activist.
While the collaborative efforts are commendable, the event highlighted the sobering reality of environmental degradation, calling for sustained and collective action to rejuvenate vital ecosystems like Sola Beel.
