1. International Day for Preservation of Ozone layer (16th Sept, 2013):

RCE Chandigarh celebrate ‘International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer’ on the theme ‘A Healthy Atmosphere, the Future We Want’. To mark the day, RCE-Chandigarh motivated RCE Chandigarh partners (the CloudSat Education Network schools in Mohali and Jalandhar) to organize various events. A function was organized jointly by RCE-Chandigarh at Shastri Model School, Mohali. A lecture was delivered by Senior Program Officer on the significance of ozone layer and its protection. School Director, Mr. Rajnish Kumar and the Principal, Mrs. Rajini Bala motivated the students & teachers to join hands and share their understanding of ozone layer depletion and its protection with other community members.

The CloudSat team in Govt. High School, Phase XI, Mohali organized paper reading and poster making competitions on the theme ‘Importance of the Ozone Layer and Environmental Protection’. Students from Class VIII to X participated in the events. The CloudSat teams in Jalandhar schools also organized poster, quiz and paper reading competitions on the current year’s theme. Prizes were awarded to the winners.

RCE Chandigarh also motivated DSS of all districts to celebrate the day by taking up activities such as lectures, competitions, exhibitions, rally, etc. in the NGC schools.

2. Celebration of World Wetlands Day at Harike:

World Wetlands Day was celebrated enthusiastically at Harike on 2nd February, 2014 jointly by RCE Chandigarh lead agency PSCST and MoEF, GOI by organizing a National Level Program based on this year’s theme “Wetland and Agriculture”. On 1st Feb., 2014, Poster making, Essay/Story writing and Slogan writing competitions were organized for students (at two levels: Level I for students upto class VIII and Level II for students of classes IX-XII) of the schools adjoining Ramsar sites, in the districts of Tarn Taran, Ferozepur, Kapurthala and Ropar.

The main program was held at Harike on 2nd February which included expert lectures, Bird watching, Exhibition on Handicraft from water hyacinth, etc. The program was attended by all important stakeholders around Ramsar sites of Punjab (Harike, Ropar and Kanjli) and other important state wetlands of Punjab (Dolbaha, Jastarwal, Hussainiwala, Keshopur Miani, Kahnuwan). In addition, around four hundred students and teachers from different schools in four districts viz. Rupnagar, Kapurthala, Ferozepur and TaranTaran, one hundred and fifty village folks from villages Churian, Sudhian, Marhana, Makhu and Harike participated in the program.

3. Celebration of Earth Day, 2014:

RCE Chandigarh partners Punjab State Council for Science and Technology and Sant Isher Singh Public School, Phase 7 Mohali celebrated ‘Earth Day‘, 22nd April 2014. Lectures and poster competition were organized on the occasion. Senior Program Officer discussed the Earth Day -2014 global theme: ‘Green Cities’ and motivated students to adopt sustainable technology and lifestyles to a build a sustainable future. She stressed that due to changing climatic conditions, sustenance of human population, especially in urban areas, is increasingly becoming difficult and therefore the Earth Day assumes importance. A cycle rally was also flagged off from the school to spread awareness Students with posters of ‘Save Tress, Save Water’, ‘Reduce, Recycle & Reuse’, toured the nearby localities to spread the message of saving the environment. Further, they carried out a cleanliness drive around the school to motivate the nearby residents. The eco-club of school ‘‘Sangrakshan’ created a special corner in the school.

4. Celebration of International Biodiversity Day, 2014:

RCE Chandigarh partners, Punjab State Council for Science and Technology (PSCST) in collaboration with Punjab Biodiversity Board(PBB) celebrated International Biodiversity Day 2014 by undertaking the following activities:

a) In PSCST complex:

An initiative was taken to participate and motivate its network partners/linkages (schools, institutions & organizations) within the state to contribute in the 'Green Wave' campaign 2014. The Green Wave is a multi-year global campaign commenced by Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and facilitated by UNESCO. The Green Wave brings together children and youth from around the world to raise awareness about biodiversity, and the need to reduce its loss. The activity involves planting trees at the same time and submitting the photograph online on the website URL:http://greenwave.cbd.int. On 22nd May at 10.00 am, all PSCST and PBB staff members under the leadership of Mrs. Neelima Jerath, ED, Punjab State Council for Science and Technology participated in the Green Wave activity. Five native plant saplings of Emblica officinalis (an important medicinal plant known for its rich vitamin-C content) were planted in the office complex of PSCST.

b) At Punjab University Chandigarh:

A seminar was also organized in collaboration with PBB and Centre for Industry Institute Partnership Programme (CIPP), Department of Biotechnology, Panjab University(PU), Chandigarh. Dr. Neelima Jerath, ED, Punjab State Council for Science and Technology delivered a presentation on 'Economics of Biodiversity and Biological Diversity Act, 2002' in the seminar. A total of 75 participants including Students, Research Scholars, Professors and Punjab State Council for Science and Technology officials attended the same. Further, an exhibition (having ENVIS, RCE & PBB display boards) was also organized at the Student Centre of the Panjab Unversity. The students were also motivated to conserve biodiversity by organizing an eco-game based on RCE ‘Snakes and ladder’. ENVIS Newsletters were also exhibited and distributed among the visitors.

5. Celebration of World Environment Day 2014

a) At PSCST Office:

Celebrated ‘World Environment Day (WED)’ by organizing a ‘Brainstorming Session’ at Council’s office on 5th June 2014. 32 participants from different divisions of the Council and representatives from DEEKSHA, a NGO, joined in the celebrations. On the occasion, Senior Program Officer (ENVIS), PSCST welcomed all the participants and briefed about the RCE network. Dr. Satnam Singh Ladhar , AD(Env.) highlighted and discussed the current year’s WED theme’ `Small Island Developing States and Climate Change`, in context to local environment, as the impacts of climate change pose grievous threats to all of us and not just to the islands. The Council officers and officials deliberated on the importance of environment conservation by sighting the global, national and regional examples on water quality, waste management, degradation of natural resources and unsustainable consumption. Mrs Tripat Parmar from DEEKSHA elaborated the WED- 2014 official slogan, ` Raise Your Voice, Not the Sea Level’ and urged all concerned to contribute towards the sustainability of environment. A short movie on ‘Wetlands’, developed by PSCST was also showcased on the occasion. Further, clips on water conservation and water pollution were also shown to motivate positive actions for the conservation of environment.

b) At PRSC, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana: RCE Chandigarh also collaborated with the Ludhiana Chapter of Indian Society of Remote Sensing (ISRS) and Punjab Remote Sensing Centre (PRSC), Ludhiana to celebrate WED on 5th June, 2014 by stimulating awareness about environment conservation and enhancing public action. 40 participants from Ludhiana NGC schools, PAU, PRSC and PSCST attended the celebrations. On the occasion, Dr Brijendra Pattariya, Director PRSC and Prof S S Kukal, Chairman & Dr. R K Setia, Secretary, Ludhiana Chapter of ISRS delivered lectures on the importance of WED, environmental degradation in the region, implications of climate change and application of Remote Sensing / GIS in agriculture. On the occasion, an exhibition was organized by ENVIS Centre, PSCST and RCE Chandigarh Network on state environmental issues. During this event, a painting competition on the theme ‘Safeguarding Environment” was organized for the students. The Post-graduate students & young research scholars of PAU and PRSC presented their ideas in a special session on the theme ‘Environment and its management’. The winners of competitions were given prizes. A tree plantation drive was also conducted at the PRSC campus. The ENVIS Newsletters were also distributed to the participants.