DIMAPUR — A
two-day national conference on ‘Recent trends in environmental pollution and
health 2024 (NCRTEPH-2024) got underway at I Ihoshe Kinimi Hall of Nagaland
University (NU), Lumami campus, in Zunheboto district on Thursday.
The vice chancellor of Nagaland University, Prof. JK Patnaik
was the chief guest of the inaugural programme, organised by the Department of
Zoology, stated a press release issued by PRO, NU.
In his speech, Prof. Patnaik highlighted that the world was
relatively free of pollution before the advent of industrialisation. Raising a
question why Nagaland experience pollution despite lack of industrialisation,
he explained that “we live in an interconnected world, where environmental
issues are not confined to one region.”
He emphasised that pollution arises from a multitude of
factors, including economic influences. The VC also discussed the impact of
hydroelectric units on soil quality, underscoring how pollution affects not
only humans and other living beings but the very fabric of the universe itself.
In his introductory note, Prof. Ranjit Kumar from Zoology
department briefly dwelt on the impact of pollution on health. Pointing out
that the conference is being attended by experts and scholars from other parts
of the country, he lauded the leadership role played by the vice chancellor in
the establishment of the first cancer lab in state of Nagaland.
The inaugural programme was chaired by Dr. Lobeno Mozhui,
assistant professor of Zoology. In his welcome speech, Prof. Bendang Ao, head
of Zoology department, expressed gratitude to the Department of Science and
Technology (DST), Government of India, as well as Nagaland University for
jointly sponsoring the conference.
He also highlighted the importance of holding a conference
on a topic that impacts daily life and the need to find ways to tackle them.
Attended by statutory officer, deans, HoDs, faculty,
experts, administrative staff, research scholars and students, the programme
concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Dr. Pranay Punj Pankaj, associate
professor of Zoology.
