Guwahati, June 5, 2024 — In a resounding celebration of World Environment Day, the Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology (IASST) organized a massive plantation drive around its campus. The event saw enthusiastic participation from the IASST fraternity, coming together to celebrate the day’s theme: “Land Restoration, Desertification, and Drought Resilience.”
The celebration started with an inaugural address by Prof. Ashis K. Mukherjee, Director of IASST. He highlighted the pressing challenges of reclaiming the Ramsar site and addressing the Boragaon dumpsite issue.
The event gained momentum with an energetic and compelling panel discussion on the topic “Reclamation of Boragaon Dumping Site and Deepor Beel of Guwahati,” featuring eminent speakers including Prof. Asish K. Mukherjee, IASST, Prof. Arup Kumar Sarma from the Department of Civil Engineering, IIT Guwahati, Mr. Prasanta J. Boruah, Executive Editor of The Assam Tribune, and Prof. Krishna Gopal Bhattacharyya, Former Head of the Department of Chemistry, Gauhati University. The session, moderated by Dr. Arundhati Devi, Associate Professor at IASST, featured critical questions that brought much-needed attention to the ongoing issues concerning Deepor Beel and the dumping site in Guwahati. The panel discussion provided a scientific perspective, sharing insights on innovative approaches and sustainable practices necessary for restoration efforts. It also highlighted the crucial role of media in raising ground-level awareness and mobilizing public opinion to combat environmental challenges, stressing the importance of media platforms in informing the general public and advocating for administrative reforms.
The event underscored the significance of environmental conservation and fostered a collaborative spirit among the participants.