UHF Nauni Marks World Ozone Day, Emphasises Lifestyle Changes for Environmental Protection

Nauni, September 16, 2026: The SPACE Club of the Department of Agrometeorology and Environmental Science, Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry (UHF), Nauni, today organised a series of activities to mark World Ozone Day. The programme was organised in collaboration with the MY Bharat Programme, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India.
The theme for this year’s observance was ‘Global Action for a Cooler Planet’ The programme aimed to sensitise students about the importance of the ozone layer, the environmental consequences of ozone depletion and the need for collective action to protect the environment.
Prof. HS Baweja, Vice Chancellor was the Chief Guest on the occasion. Addressing the gathering, the Vice Chancellor emphasised the need to maintain a balance between development and environmental conservation. He said that economic and technological development must go hand in hand with responsible environmental practices so that natural resources are conserved for future generations.
Prof. Baweja said that environmental protection cannot be the responsibility of governments and institutions alone and requires active participation from every individual. He encouraged students to adopt environmentally responsible lifestyles and become ambassadors of environmental awareness in their communities. He also highlighted the importance of scientific research, innovation and education in addressing emerging environmental challenges.
The Vice Chancellor said that universities have an important role to play in creating awareness among young people and developing solutions to environmental problems through research and innovation. He urged students to understand the connection between everyday choices and their long-term impact on the environment and to contribute towards building a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable planet.
Earlier, Dr. PK Baweja, Head, Department of Agrometeorology and Environmental Science, welcomed the participants and highlighted the significance of World Ozone Day. She spoke about the Montreal Protocol and its role in global efforts to protect the ozone layer. She also highlighted the significance of the 10th anniversary of the Kigali Amendment, which focuses on the phasedown of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and contributes to efforts to address climate change.
Dr CL Thakur, Dean, College of Forestry, emphasised the need for lifestyle changes to reduce individual environmental footprints. He said that small changes in everyday habits, when adopted collectively, can make a significant contribution towards environmental conservation. He encouraged students to promote sustainable practices in their homes, institutions and communities. Dr Kumar Ambrish, Additional Director, Botanical Survey of India (BSI), highlighted the potential impacts of ozone depletion and associated environmental changes on alpine ecosystems. He said that alpine flora, including several medicinal plant species, could be particularly vulnerable to changes in environmental conditions.
Bhupinder Gill, District Youth Officer, spoke about the MY Bharat Programme and the various opportunities available to students through the platform. He stressed the importance of exposure and participation in extracurricular and community-based activities for the overall development of students. He encouraged students to make use of opportunities that enable them to develop leadership, communication and social responsibility.
As part of the programme, a quiz and declamation competition were organised for students. In the quiz competition, Team UV Guards secured the first position, while Team Ecominds stood second. In the declamation competition, Shrishti Sharma, PhD first year, secured the first position, while Prakriti, MSc second year, secured the second position. A rally involving students and faculty members was also held on the university campus to raise awareness about ozone layer protection and environmental conservation.  The event was attended by the statutory officers, heads of Department, Faculty and students along with members of the SPACE Club.