Srinagar, June 6: The University of Kashmir observed World Environment Day 2026 with a series of academic, outreach and environmental programmes held over three days, focusing on climate action, sustainability and ecological awareness.

The celebrations saw participation from policymakers, academics, students, environmental experts and civil society members in activities aimed at promoting environmental responsibility and community engagement.
A key highlight was the visit of the Joint Parliamentary Committee on the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhisthan Bill, 2025, which joined a plantation drive and visited the University Botanical Garden. The committee interacted with Vice-Chancellor KU Prof. Nilofer Khan and senior officials on higher education reforms.
As part of the programme, the University organised a walkathon, plantation drive, expert lectures, painting exhibitions and awareness activities. The Eco Club of the Department of Students Welfare in collaboration with the School of Earth and Environmental Sciences coordinated the main campus event.
Vice-Chancellor Prof. Nilofer Khan stressed the importance of collective responsibility in tackling environmental challenges and highlighted the role of universities in promoting sustainable practices and ecological awareness.
Dean Students Welfare Prof. Seema Singh said such activities give students a platform to express commitment towards environmental protection, while Dean School of Earth and Environmental Sciences Prof. Parvez Ahmad called for stronger public participation in conservation efforts, noting the ecological fragility of Jammu and Kashmir.
An expert lecture by environmental lawyer Advocate Nadeem Qadri focused on youth involvement in nature conservation and the need for stronger collaboration between academia, judiciary and environmental activists.
Separately, the Department of Environmental Science organised a two-day outreach programme in collaboration with Government Degree College DH Pora, Kulgam, and JAKNAP Projects Pvt. Ltd., featuring training sessions, demonstrations and a visit to the Sewage Treatment Plant at Mehandi Kadal, Anantnag.
Earlier, the Department of English, in collaboration with the Ecosophical Foundation for the Study of Literature and Environment, hosted a two-day international conference on climate action, sustainability and literature, encouraging interdisciplinary dialogue on environmental issues.