HT Correspondent
TEZPUR, May 31: A well-known environmentalist of Biswanath Chariali area in undivided Sonitpur district, Kumud Baruah received the prestigious ‘Haren Bothra Memorial Environmental Award’ at Tezpur Science Academy on Monday.
It is to be mentioned here that Tezpur science academy organised the event in memory of late Haren Bothra in collaboration with his family. In connection with the programme, an oration programme on ‘Distinctive Contribution to Environmental Awareness: Conservation and Afforestation’ was also organised. Held under the chairmanship of Dr. Lakhi Goswami and hosted by publicity convenor of Assam Sahitya Sabha Pankaj Baruha, the programme began with the commemoration of the noted professor and environmentalist.
In her welcome address, Dr. Lakhi Goswami spoke on how late Haren Bothra spent his time in preserving the environment besides his dedicated service to a premier academic institution for the northern belt, Darrang College.
“He was a true nature lover,” Dr. Goswami said, adding that being a teacher of Botany he worked tirelessly to educate every student with a scientific mindset.
Meanwhile, speaking on the occasion, retired teacher and former president of Tezpur Sahitya Sabha Puneswar Nath said that late Haren Bothra dealt with every environmental issue very dynamically thereby passing a positive message to the society. “He was the heir of Tezpur’s great heritage and was one of the teachers of Darrang College whose lantern of ideals is still burning today,” Nath added.
On the other hand, receiving the award that carries fulam gamosa, xorai, citation and cash amount Kumud Baruah urged all concerned to come forward to work for an ecologically balanced world. Speaking on the selected topic ‘Distinctive Contribution to Environmental Awareness: Conservation and Afforestation’, professor of department of Environment, Tezpur University, Dr. Apurba Das said on how deforestation is posing serious threat to the environment.
Explaining how sound pollution puts an impact on humans and urged everyone to plant trees to get rid of this alarming issue. Attending the event as special guest, local MLA, Prithiraj Rava also spoke on the contribution of the noted environmentalist late Haren Bothra towards mobilising the society to come forward to work for an ecologically balanced world. Prior to it, principal of the institute, Suranjan Sarmha sang a borgeet.
In connection with the event, a state level prize money quiz competition conducted by Dr Palash Mani Saikia, principal of Darrang College was also organised wherein altogether 70 groups from across the state took part.
