Guest Lecture Programme on the Occasion of World Environment Day
Organised by: Sarupathar College
Theme: Our Nature, Our Responsibility
Guest Speaker: Padma Shri Jadav Payeng, Jorhat
Date: 4th June 2025
Venue: Auditorium
To commemorate World Environment Day, Sarupathar College organized a Guest Lecture Programme on 4th June 2025 under the theme “Our Nature, Our Responsibility.” The event was graced by eminent environmentalist Padma Shri Jadav Payeng, widely known as the “Forest Man of India,” as the keynote speaker.
In his address to the students and faculty members, Mr. Payeng delivered an insightful and thought-provoking lecture on environmental sustainability and human responsibility towards nature. He began by emphasizing that environment is a self-regulating and self-creating entity, and under normal conditions, human interference is not required. However, he expressed concern over how this natural process has been disrupted by human actions, thereby necessitating conscious and collective efforts to restore ecological balance.
Mr. Payeng critically reflected on the current trend of “fashionable plantation”, stating that such efforts often lack sincerity and fail to contribute meaningfully to environmental protection. Instead, he advocated for natural and organic growth of plants, which aligns more genuinely with environmental conservation.
Drawing from indigenous knowledge systems, Mr. Payeng reminded the gathering of the balanced environmental practices of older generations, who maintained a sustainable relationship with nature through careful plantation and judicious use of forest resources. Unfortunately, he noted, this balance has been lost in recent times, leading to drastic climate changes.
He also raised serious concerns regarding the adverse health impacts caused by the excessive use of chemicals and pesticides in agriculture. Furthermore, he pointed out the negative implications of planting non-native commercial species like teak and eucalyptus, which threaten the biodiversity and sustainability of local ecosystems.
Concluding his lecture, Mr. Payeng urged the students to stay committed to both their academic growth and environmental responsibilities, encouraging them to adopt environment-conscious lifestyles.
The lecture was followed by an interactive question-and-answer session, where students and faculty engaged enthusiastically with Mr. Payeng, seeking further guidance on sustainable practices. The event concluded with a symbolic act of environmental commitment as Mr. Payeng, along with NSS Cadres, planted five saplings in the college campus.
The programme successfully instilled a deeper awareness of environmental issues among the college community and reaffirmed the importance of aligning development with ecological consciousness.
