WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY REPORT – 2024 , SREE ABIRAMI COLLEGE OF NURSING, COIMBATORE-21
World Environment Day, commemorated globally on June 5th, was marked by Sree Abirami College and School of Nursing with a series of enlightening and proactive events. This year, the focus was on “Land Restoration, Desertification, and Drought Resilience,” a theme of critical importance given the pressing environmental challenges of our times.
On the morning of June 5, 2024, the Department of Community Health Nursing, in collaboration with Mrs. Maheswari, the Panchayat President of Palathurai, initiated a sapling plantation drive to combat global warming. The event saw the planting of 50 diverse saplings at strategic locations throughout Palathurai village, including the panchayat office, marriage hall, school grounds, and the local Anganwadi center. This initiative not only beautified the area but also engaged the community, with first-year GNM students rallying local support and assigning caretakers for each newly planted tree, ensuring their growth and survival.
The commitment to environmental education continued on June 7, 2024, when the college hosted an awareness program from 11 AM to 1 PM. This program, aimed at the students of B.Sc Nursing and GNM, featured Mr. Deepak Venkatachalam, a renowned ecologist from Suzhal Arivom Organization, as the guest speaker. Nearly 400 students benefited from his insights on the current theme. Suzhal Arivom has been a forerunner in promoting environmental awareness across rural and urban settings, having organized over 600 events involving more than 26,000 participants. The organization’s impactful work earned the “Green Champion Award” in 2021 from the Government of Tamil Nadu.
Mr. Venkatachalam delivered a compelling lecture on “Climate Change, Environment, & Health Hazards,” highlighting the critical links between human activities and environmental degradation. His discussions covered a range of topics from wind movements and seasonal changes to the more pressing issue of global warming. A significant point of his lecture was the assertion that human actions are a primary cause of global warming, a perspective that resonated deeply with the audience. He also shared personal practices and encouraged the adoption of sustainable habits among students, such as choosing cotton garments and reusable materials to reduce environmental impact.
The session not only educated but also motivated attendees to think critically about their consumer choices, asking themselves about the environmental impact of their purchases. This approach of critical thinking towards everyday decisions was emphasized as a vital step in fostering environmental responsibility.
The event was well-received by the college administration. Dr. Arvin Babu, the Administrative Dean, praised the session for its depth and practical relevance. He encouraged students to implement the discussed measures to help mitigate environmental pollution. Academic Dean Mrs. Jayabarathi inspired the students to uphold cleanliness in their living spaces, emphasizing that environmental care starts at home.
Professor Gandhimathi, Vice Principal and HOD of Community Health Nursing extended a warm welcome to all attendees at the beginning of the program. The closing remarks were given by Dr. R Renuka, Principal of Sree Abirami College of Nursing. She urged the students to adopt at least one measure to combat global warming and extended her gratitude to the management for their support in organizing such a meaningful event.
The day was not only about gaining knowledge but also about setting forth on a path of sustainable practice, truly embodying the spirit of World Environment Day.
